President Obama says German Chancellor Angela Merkel is “on the right side of history” in how she has responded to the influx of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees surging into Europe.
At a press conference Sunday, the president said he is “proud” of Merkel and the German people for their open-door policy to migrants fleeing violence and uncertainty in their home country.
Obama’s support for Merkel is a repudiation of Republicans in the United States and right-leaning politicians in Europe who oppose welcoming large number of refugees from Iraq and Syria due to terrorism worries.
“She is on the right side of history on this,” Obama said as he stood next to Merkel in Hannover, Germany. “And for her to take on some very tough politics in order to express not just a humanitarian concern but also a practical concern, that in this globalized world, it is very difficult for us to simply build walls.”
“She is giving voice I think to the kinds of principles that bring people together rather than divide them,” Obama said. “And I’m very proud of her for that. And I’m proud of the German people for that.”
Obama’s praise comes after Merkel faced fallout in a referendum of sorts on her immigration policy. In last month’s state elections, Merkel’s party, the Christian Democrats, took a beating. An anti-immigration party made significant gains.
Obama has promised to admit 100,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the U.S. this year. He faces pushback from Republicans who fear a possible security threat. GOP presidential candidates, like front-runner Donald Trump, have attacked Obama’s pledge to allow refugees into the country.
With Obama’s presidency coming to an end in nine months, Merkel was asked about the possibility of working with a President Trump, who has called her refugee policy “insane” and floated the idea of dissolving NATO.
“As to your question, let me make two remarks,” Merkel replied. “First, I concentrate on the task ahead for 2016. I’m quite busy with that. Thank you very much. And I’m looking with great interest at the American election campaign.”
