By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN (AA) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Sunday that she will run for a fourth term in next year’s elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, following an executive committee meeting of her Christian Democrats (CDU), Merkel said she has decided to stand for re-election in 2017.
“These elections will be more difficult than ever before, at least since the unification of Germany,” Merkel told reporters, acknowledging widespread criticism of her open-door policy for refugees.
She cited the polarization of German society and security fears due to the refugee crisis as examples of important domestic challenges.
Merkel also expressed concern over growing support for right-wing populist movements in Europe and Germany, but underlined that she will continue to defend liberal, democratic values.
“Democracy, freedoms, respect for the rule of law, the dignity of each human being irrespective of his or her origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political opinion. These have guided my efforts, and I will continue to support them again and again,” she stressed.
Merkel’s Christian Democrats have suffered heavy defeats in recent regional elections, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) had record gains, mainly through the use of anti-refugee propaganda.
Germany accepted a record 890,000 refugees last year, most of them Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghans.
– Still strong support
Despite steady economic growth and low levels of unemployment, claims by the far-right and populist parties have helped spark security fears and foster anti-refugee and anti-Muslim sentiments.
Recent polls show that Merkel remains strong, despite the rise of the far-right AfD in recent state elections.
According to a poll published by Bild am Sonntag weekly on Sunday, 55 percent of Germans support Merkel’s candidacy in 2017, while 39 percent oppose it.
Merkel’s plan to address the refugee crisis through closer cooperation between the EU and Turkey has been successful, with Germany receiving less than 220,000 refugees through this October.
The EU-Turkey refugee deal aims to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers, while improving the conditions of nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, through EU financial aid.
The deal also allows for the acceleration of Turkey’s EU membership bid and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area, on the condition that Ankara meets 72 requirements set by the EU.
Ankara has met most of the requirements, but the EU’s demands for change in Turkey’s anti-terrorism law have led to a deadlock in negotiations.
