Mrs. Merkel - more feeling, please!
The German chancellor is not known for emotional speeches. In this regard, the announcement by several German media according to which Angela Merkel would be "addressing the nation," was misleading.
As has always been the case at such occasions, she mainly resorted to collation and analysis. In addition, the format was a different one, namely her annual summer press conference in Berlin, usually held later in the year but moved up this time because of the various acts of violence committed in Germany over the last few days.
Expectations, however, were different to those of previous years. The first Islamist terror attacks carried out in their own country have upset many Germans. They have raised fears and a lot of questions.
One of those key questions is whether it was a good decision to admit so many refugees into the country without having total control over the influx from the outset. Not only social media users are heavily concerned in this respect - the local handyman, the postman or residents living in rural areas have reservations as well. Not all of them, but many. Not to mention the most outspoken political opponents of Merkel's policy, the AfD (Alternative for Germany).
Right is not enough
During the 90 minutes she faced the press, Merkel left a lot to be desired when it came to addressing these concerns.
It may well be right for politicians not to be guided by anxiety, as she pointed out, and that a vast number of single steps are necessary in order to cope with complex challenges. It is also true that much has been done to put asylum policies in Germany and Europe on a new and sustainable foundation.
In times like these, however, Merkel would have been well advised to show some emotion - a missed opportunity. Missing from her speeches and answers to journalists' questions were the bridges she should have built to put a stop to the ever-growing polarization between advocates and opponents of her refugee policy.
This time, perhaps, she should have banged her fist on the table, either verbally or actually, in order to send out a signal along the lines of "Enough is enough!" The nine-point security plan she introduced to the public was weak and didn't hit that target.
The AfD rejoices
Towards the end of the 90-minute event, two journalists from the Netherlands and Poland respectively tried to draw more emotion from Merkel. How would the chancellor respond, they inquired, if she was asked on the street if her welcome culture was to blame for the terror that manifested itself in Würzburg when an axe-and-knife-wielding refugee-turned-Islamist attacked passengers on a train and then a pedestrian.
Merkel replied that a refusal to take humanitarian responsibility would have led to very serious consequences for Germany.
Why hadn't she traveled to Würzburg or Ansbach after the attacks had happened there was another question.
The Chancellor replied she made such decisions on a case-by-case basis. She had opted for attending the memorial ceremony in Munich on Sunday (July 31) instead.
Her response was probably factually correct, but those questions would have called for more empathy.
Making statements via Social Media, the AfD rejoiced in the wake of Merkel's outing. The Merkel camp will surely feel vindicated after this Thursday - and likewise, her critics. By taking action, she wanted to convince AfD voters to return to the other parties, Merkel said. Merely taking action, however, won't be enough.
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