German Chancellor Says Multiculturalism Efforts Have ‘Failed’

In her latest comment on the German immigration debate—how to integrate second and third generation immigrants, especially those of Turkish background and Islamic faith—German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday that the country's approach to building a multicultural Germany has “utterly failed,” due to a lack of effort from past decades, German media Deutsche Welle reported.

She made the statements during a speech to her party's Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Her statement came on the heels of a similar statement made by Horst Seehofer, head of the Bavarian Christian Social Union, who said Friday, "Multiculturalism is dead," Deutsche Welle reported.

Merkel said that the millions of Muslims in Germany show that Islam is a part of the country. She illustrated the point by referencing Özil, a soccer player from Germany’s national team, who has Turkish roots, German media Spiegel reported.

Last week, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Merkel during a visit in Germany, and said they would improve integration, and that Turks living in Germany should speak without a German accent, Deutsch Welle reported.

Merkel emphasized the importance of immigration—particularly for skilled workers—for the economy. The opposing side of the debate is that emigration may be a larger problem, as more people are leaving Germany than entering.

The country is currently stirred by debate. Spiegel reported receiving more than 4,000 comments on the issue in two days.

Comments on the issue vary. Some who support Merkel’s statement that multiculturalism has failed, stated that the problem is not just in Germany. Others argued that multiculturalism is already working in Germany.