On Nov. 28 in Hanover, the leader of a right-wing German party called on refugee-welcoming Chancellor Angela Merkel to resign. The party, AfD (Alternativ für Deutschland/Alternative for Germany), is led by Frauke Petry and is known for its anti-immigrant stance, reported Euronews.
The AfD claims the chancellor's decision to open Germany's borders to migrants is "undemocratic," as they doubt that Germany will be able to function properly with the influx of migrants, which is expected to reach one million this year, according to Reuters. Petry initiated chants of "Merkel, step down. You can do it," which echoed and mocked Merkel's own rallying call of "We can do it." Petry got at least four standing ovations with the attacks on Merkel and her decisions.
At a summit in Hanover, the AfD pledged to end the "asylum chaos" they claim will befall the country, reported Euronews. ABout 2,500 left-wing activists protested outside the event, expressing that "racism is no alternative," reported Reuters.
Merkel has been pressured, even by members of her own party, to cap the number of refugees that will be allowed into Germany, especially amid growing fears of terrorist attacks in Europe. She has resisted. She vowed, in an address to parliament Wednesday, to stick to her open-door refugee policy. Merkel is calling for a multi-pronged solution to the refugee crisis, working with EU countries and Turkey, reported Reuters.
