Opposition presses migration issue in German vote
BERLIN — Germany’s anti-immigrant AfD party pushed Monday to make the huge influx of refugees into the country an election issue as it battles with flagging support, despite waning concern among Germans over the matter.
More than 1 million refugees entered Germany in 2015-16. Alternative for Germany leaders Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel said in Berlin they think the wave of newcomers has led to increased crime, an overwhelmed educational system and an “Islamization of society.”
“The big number of migrants cannot be integrated in the long run,” Weidel said, calling for tougher asylum laws.