International

Germany’s Multicultural Society

Paulina Slagter

Rising fear of immigration in Germany has sparked heated debate on the matter within political ranks and amongst German citizens. Chancellor Angela Merkel claims that a multicultural society where different ethnic groups live side by side doesn’t work and that immigrants need to try harder to integrate into Germany society, specifically by learning the German language. There has been intense debate over multiculturalism in recent months with a poll showing 30% of Germans feeling that their country was “overrun by foreigners.” Germany’s unemployment seems to be related to anti-immigration feelings. There is constant pressure by German citizens due to a wide consensus that immigration has harmed the country. This is, in part, stems from the beliefs that foreigners come to abuse Germany’s welfare state and that are becoming a growing minority within Germany’s political parties. Many Germans believe that Muslims are a burden on their economy. The biggest source of tension is the large Turkish population that was invited to Germany to work but not to stay. As anti-immigration positions gain popularity in Germany, it offers the United States a view of what the potential responses may be of Americans to a multicultural society.

• Chancellor: the head of Government in Germany, like a Prime Minister or President
• Multicultural: acceptance of different ethnic groups in one country, commonly referred to as “multikulti” in German popular culture.

Additional Reading:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11532699

http://www.allvoices.com/news/7048712-charged-debate