The David McWilliams Podcast Germany, 10 Years After “Wir Schaffen Das”, What Really Happened? with Katja Hoyer
Aug 28, 2025
In this lively discussion, historian Katja Hoyer dives into the impact of Angela Merkel's 2015 refugee policy, which welcomed over a million asylum seekers. She examines the cultural clashes and economic shifts that have reshaped German society, including schools with high migrant populations and the rise of the AfD party. Hoyer also discusses the challenges of integration and the ongoing political discourse surrounding immigration. With insights into both the hopes and backlash over the past decade, the conversation sheds light on Germany’s evolving identity.
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Merkel's 2015 Suspension Changed Everything
- Angela Merkel suspended the Dublin rules in 2015 and allowed large numbers of refugees into Germany without full checks.
- That immediate decision created lasting political and social consequences over the following decade.
Scale And Demographics Of The 2015 Arrivals
- In 2015 about 1.1 million people registered as asylum seekers in Germany, roughly 40% were Syrian.
- Around 70% of arrivals were male, which intensified housing and security concerns.
Sudden Local Transformations In Small Towns
- Germany distributed refugees across regions, often placing many in small towns and temporary housing like containers.
- That produced sudden local demographic shifts and social upheaval in previously homogeneous communities.
