Active Stocks
Mon Mar 18 2024 15:55:53
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 149.60 5.69%
  1. Tata Motors share price
  2. 972.20 2.75%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 417.40 -0.51%
  1. State Bank Of India share price
  2. 730.70 -0.18%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,082.00 0.32%
Business News/ Opinion / Europe’s cracks
BackBack

Europe’s cracks

The days of European largesse towards refugees, led by Germany, are over.

The migration issue has divided Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and its coalition partner. Photo: BloombergPremium
The migration issue has divided Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and its coalition partner. Photo: Bloomberg

German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced no little amount of trouble in cobbling together a coalition government just a few months ago. Now that coalition is under threat. The issue that has divided Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and its coalition partner: migration.

It is a fraught issue in the European Union (EU) at large. Countries such as Italy and Austria are leaning towards a harsher response to the refugee crisis. Central European nations like Poland and Slovakia are even more discontented. The days of European largesse towards refugees, led by Germany, are over.

This is, at its core, as fundamental a question about the nature and future of the EU as the contours of the monetary union. Hungary’s flame-thower of a prime minister, Viktor Orban, has denounced the very idea of multiculturalism. His characterizing Muslim refugees as invaders is malicious and dangerous. But plainly, there are many in Europe who share at least some of his doubts about multiculturalism. It is a reminder that even in developed liberal democracies, leaders must account for the fact that cultural identity matters.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 19 Jun 2018, 05:27 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App