Merkel Warns Germans Against Refugee Hate in New Year's Speech
- German leader signals crisis to shape nation also in 2016
- Sticks to open-door stance citing strong German economy
German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a New Year's address in Berlin on Dec. 30.
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Chancellor Angela Merkel signaled she’ll use Germany’s economic power to turn a record influx of refugees to the nation’s advantage and urged citizens to reject social conflict fomented by nationalists with “hate in their hearts.”
In a New Year’s address devoted to the impact of the refugee crisis, Merkel said coping with migration will cost Germany “time, effort and money,” according to prepared remarks provided by her office on Thursday. If handled right, the challenges of today will be the opportunities of tomorrow, she said.