Inside Story

Has German multiculturalism failed?

We look at Angela Merkel’s bleak assessment of attempts to integrate immigrants into German society.

Speaking to a meeting of young members of her Christian Democratic Union party on Saturday, Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said attempts to build a multicultural society in Germany have “utterly failed”. 

She said foreigners should be “integrated” rather than “accommodated”.

Whilst she admits Germany needs immigration, Merkel’s comments are likely to add momentum to a growing wave of nationalism seen to be spreading throughout Europe.

Her speech has added fuel to an immigration debate in Germany that has been growing rather heated in recent months.

What is causing this rise in anti-immigrant feeling? Should immigrants be forced to better integrate, and will it make any difference?

Joining the programme are Alexander Marguier, the editor of Cicero magazine, and Nabila Ramdani, a French journalist and political commentator.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Sunday, October 17, 2010.