Merkel Distances Herself from German Government on Immigration

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has distanced herself from the German government's immigration policy, implying that the practice of rejections at the border constitutes a violation of European law.

During a dinner with migrants at a Syrian restaurant in Berlin, Merkel stated: "If someone at our border declares that they will seek asylum, they should be subject to the relevant legal procedure."

Angela Merkel also called for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) not to be allowed to guide immigration policy.

From the government's side, Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei defended Mrs. Merkel's phrase "we can do it," while the President of the Federal Administrative Court, Andreas Korbmacher, expressed doubts about the government's long-term course.