Germany

About 260 in the UK as a whole, daphnedill, so 30 people more per km2 than in Germany. That is actually quite a big difference.

jings I agree. Watching the AfD celebrating their wins is scary stuff. Some of them come over as true right wing fanatics.

Maggie, Germany's population density is indeed lower than in Engtland, but Germany also has areas, like parts of Scotland and Wales, which are have a very low population density. If you compare the UK and Germany, you'll find that they are not that different.

jing yes I so agree, but I am sure as wilma said the Germans will not accept that the AfD is the answer.

The success of the AfD party makes your blood run cold. But Angela Merkel is solid. And there is no one to take her place. Thank the Lord.

I don't understand. Luckylegs9 and petra how can most Germans have had enough if the AfD did not become the strongest party in any of the three states? I read that the CDU was still stronger than the AfD in all three states and in one state (Baden-Wuerttemberg), the Green party made big gains and it supports Merkel's position on refugees.

I agree the AfD made huge gains, but how does that translate as 'most Germans have had enough'?

Personally I think a majority of Germans will turn away from the AfD - especially those in West Germany - because it is far too right wing. None of the other parties will enter into a coalition with the AfD.

On the other hand, Germany's population density is around 230 per square kilometre, whereas in England it's over 400 (much lower in the UK as a whole, but England is now more crowded than the Netherlands). They have a lot of space to fill, a low birth rate and an ageing population. The rapid pace of immigration to Germany is causing problems, but they do need more young people.

This is what happens when people have had 'enough'
And yes, it does remind me of the end of the Thatcher years. They are obviously very clever people with a few 'ologies' between them but they know bugger all about humane nature.

I dont doubt that currently, most of Germany is a nice place to live.

But equally, I dont think it is hard for most to see, that the immigration policy of the EU and Germany in particular, has potential for a lot of trouble in Germany. Particularly as regards the high numbers of them, and over a very short period of time.

It doesnt help that it appears that the current Government there does not seem very willing to listen to its people.
High and quick mass immigration has very big practical issues which Angela Merkel is willing to ignore even though she is being advised.

She is reminding me of the last years of Margaret Thatcher.

You should always listen to the majority and most Germans have had enough.

If I couldn't live in the UK, Germany is the only country in which I would want to live.

Whilst it appears there are many German people who have sympathy for the refugees and have tried to help, there is also a very worrying movement towards the AfD which refers constantly to the "Fatherland" and whose leader's speeches have been likened to those of Goebbels. A black Catholic priest has gone into hiding after receiving abuse and death threats following a speech he made in support of the refugees, including being told to "get off to Auschwitz".

This isn't just about Germany - we have people with similar views in this country who feign fear and concern but who secretly enjoy the opportunity to spread hatred and alarm.

Well she got a bit of a bloody nose in the elections but it obviously didn't hurt as she's said she will carry on with the same policy.

It comes down to that simple saying: enough is enough. No one knows what is 'enough' but they know when it comes.

Obieone. Thanks for that. I liked the quote: Those who bear the responsibility of being government like we do have a different role. We have to provide the people with answers and solutions.
That answer and solution was: ok, we've got enough now, your upsetting people, go back to where you came from.
I think I could have come up with that one on the back of a fag packet.

because she has a warm heart and can't bear that these people should be homeless when Germany can afford to care for them.
I apologise for being cynical, but I agree with rosesarered when she says that Germany has an ageing population and needs young people.

It needs young workers, who will pay taxes. Not a soft heart - a politician through and through. Not that that is a criticism, although DH's friend has a German wife and many relatives still in Germany who are critical of Frau Merkel.
Seeing the results that have come in, they are not alone.

www.spiegel.de/international/germany/refugee-policy-of-chancellor-merkel-divides-europe-a-1053603.html

POGS. Thank you for that, I thought I had dreamt it when I read that about Merkel. I don't think some people realise what we read in relation to what's going on in Germany.
Sounds like some people are of the ilk of, close your eyes and ears and it will go away. Well it's not, and judging by the results coming out of Germany tonight people are having their say in the only way they can, the ballot box.

Margaret X

" I live here and have never heard Fr Merkle give an open invitation to all who want to come, it was in a private interview'

We have 'locked horns' before over Germany's immigration policy on other threads and I thought twice about responding to one of your posts once again but I cannot let your comment Fr Merkle has made her views known only in 'a private interview' pass without commentating. There was / is far too much coverage of Fr Merkle on British TV alone to think that was even remotely possible. Absurd. We have had the opportunity to watch her speak for ourselves.

We might not live in Germany but we are well informed of the problems facing Germany and no not just by the right wing press before that tired old clap trap is used .

Cologne, Pergida riots, Camden, Troglitz etc. all reported . From a German paper, Spiegal :- 'The Federal Government reported there had been 150 crimes directed at German Asylum Seeker Hostels in 2014, 3 times higher than the year before. The crimes range from sedition to attacks with weapons and incendiary objects. ( They are being torched.)

Nigglynellie. I didn't mean to imply that only the better educated refugees will be a useful asset to their host country but goodness knows we could do with a few here, particularly doctors.

Yes I think your right Ana, we are basically a law abiding nation particularly compared to others, which could be why a lot of us are suddenly sick of it, and the only way to escape it is to say 'goodbye to the circus', sooner than having to continually try to fight our corner, and abide by rules we clearly hate, when others so blatently don't!

Leaving the less well educated, unprofessional, less of an asset for other countrys!!! No surprise there!!!

nigglynellie, I think you'll find that the UK has a very good record of toeing the line with regard to EU directives! We are probably the most obedient member state...

MargaretX how good to get an opinion about Germany from someone experiencing country first hand, but I can't think Fr Merkel was purely motivated by compassion when she encouraged refugees. However I admire the way the Germans have received them with such humanity. There are many well educated professional refugees particularly from Syria who will probably prove a great asset to the country.

Of course it is, roses. A friend of ours went out recently to visit the former East German town where his mother was brought up. It was virtually a ghost town, with boarded up businesses and homes. That's the sort of place Frau Merkel was hoping to regenerate.. She may well have a warm heart, but she has a good business head on her.