Angela Merkel admits that welcoming over 1 million refugees into Germany was a mistake

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacts as she addresses a news conference after a meeting with state premiers at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on Jan. 28, 2016. Reuters

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has finally admitted that her much maligned open door policy on migrants was a mistake.

"We didn't embrace the problem in an appropriate way," Merkel said in an interview, according to Breitbart News, on Thursday.

"In Germany we ignored the problem for too long and blocked out the need to find a pan-European solution," she added, marking an implicit reversal of her motto "We can do this."

Merkel also said she "cannot deny" that Germany has become complacent after years of welcoming Muslim migrants from other nations. Last year alone, Germany welcomed 1.1 million refugees. More of them have been arriving since the start of this year.

Some of the refugees have abused German hospitality and committed crimes including assault and molestation of German women, sparking unrest and protest among the German people.

Far-right movements such a PEGIDA have denounced Merkel's policies on refugees, blaming them for an upsurge of crime in several cities.

"People are very unhappy with her refugee policies," said Helmut Schroeder, a 61-year-old unemployed locksmith in Greifswald. "It's astonishing that one woman could take such a momentous decision on her own. We are not a monarchy."

Political expert Stefani Weiss told The Christian Post back in January that Germany cannot handle Europe's refugee crisis on its own.

"The member states need to accept that this is a European problem, and that it needs a European solution. We have to be more aware of the risks which might be involved regarding our security and safety, but we shouldn't put refugees and criminals into one basket," said Weiss, the director of Bertelsmann Stiftung, an independent, nonprofit German foundation.

Reuters reported that it's not yet clear whether Merkel will decide to run for a fourth term in 2017 amid her declining popularity ratings. Merkel has been in power for more than 10 years, having assumed office on Nov. 22, 2005.

Oxford historian and author Timothy Garton Ash predicted that Merkel might be on her way out of power, despite her promise that Germany will not accept as many refugees this year compared to 2015.

"There is a universal law in politics that says 10 years is enough. When leaders stay longer they start making mistakes. It happened to De Gaulle, Kohl, Thatcher and to Erdogan and Putin. Now it seems to be happening to the pragmatic, cautious Angela Merkel," Ash said.

related articles
Christian refugees in Germany hiding their Bibles from Muslim extremists in migrant camps
Christian refugees in Germany hiding their Bibles from Muslim extremists in migrant camps

Christian refugees in Germany hiding their Bibles from Muslim extremists in migrant camps

\'People of darkness\' want to destroy Germany, says woman who claims God spoke to her about her country\'s future
'People of darkness' want to destroy Germany, says woman who claims God spoke to her about her country's future

'People of darkness' want to destroy Germany, says woman who claims God spoke to her about her country's future

German Catholic bishops praise \'teacher of the faith\' Martin Luther ahead of Reformation 500th anniversary
German Catholic bishops praise 'teacher of the faith' Martin Luther ahead of Reformation 500th anniversary

German Catholic bishops praise 'teacher of the faith' Martin Luther ahead of Reformation 500th anniversary

Fresh crisis for German Catholic Church as ordinations sink to new low
Fresh crisis for German Catholic Church as ordinations sink to new low

Fresh crisis for German Catholic Church as ordinations sink to new low

German interior minister backs ban on burqas
German interior minister backs ban on burqas

German interior minister backs ban on burqas

Fears of trafficking as police reveal 9000 child refugees are missing in Germany alone
Fears of trafficking as police reveal 9000 child refugees are missing in Germany alone

Fears of trafficking as police reveal 9000 child refugees are missing in Germany alone

News
Church cautiously welcomes Northern Ireland government programme
Church cautiously welcomes Northern Ireland government programme

The document outlines the governing priorities of Northern Ireland’s government.

Pope looks to Christ during 'period of trial'
Pope looks to Christ during 'period of trial'

In his weekly Angelus address, Pope Francis gave praise to God as the one who never abandons us, even in times of severe trial.

Ukraine imprisons Christian conscientious objector
Ukraine imprisons Christian conscientious objector

Serhy Semchuk was sentenced to five years and has had all appeals rejected

Homeless man charged with terrorism after 'fake' attack threat against Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church
Homeless man charged with terrorism after 'fake' attack threat against Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church

A homeless man alleged to have threatened a deadly gas attack on Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Christmas Eve has been indicted on a federal terrorism charge.