Ten years after We can do it: Is Germany ready for the future?

Ten years after We can do it: Is Germany ready for the future?

Today, August 31, 2025, we take a look at the developments in the reception of refugees in Germany, which were heralded ten years ago with Angela Merkel's famous sentence “We can do it”. Back in 2015, around 1.3 million people streamed into Germany, primarily from war zones such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. This openness has had a lasting impact on the country, both in the political landscape and in the consciousness of the population.

How has the population's perception of accepting refugees changed over these years? Ralf Behn, senior administrative officer at the Pinnau office, remembers the euphoria and willingness to help that characterized Germany at the time. “Many people were willing to offer shelter, clothing and money,” said Behn. In fact, the willingness to help between 2015 and 2017 was exceptionally high, comparable to today's support for refugees from Ukraine, which is in the context of the Russian war of aggression shz.de.

Current challenges

But the challenges for municipalities remain. In particular, the problem of the housing situation remains urgent, especially in rural areas. In September 2023, numerous media reported on the overload of municipalities struggling to accommodate refugees. This situation led to district administrators from Schleswig-Holstein turning to the Ministry of Social Affairs with a cry for help dw.com.

The development since the first refugee crisis is particularly remarkable. There are currently 155 people seeking protection accommodated in Behn's area, including 91 asylum seekers and 58 Ukrainians. The topic of migration policy is shaping the current election campaign, where deportations and sanctions for refugees are being discussed - a clear sign of a change in the political landscape shz.de.

Successes and failures in integration

After the first few years of arrival, the integration of refugees shows positive signs, especially among the younger ones. Statistics show that over 60 percent of refugees who came to Germany in 2015 were able to find work seven years after their arrival. This not only helps to improve their living situation, but also promotes cohesion within society. Nevertheless, there are challenges such as language skills, which are crucial for successful integration dw.com.

Opinions among the population are divided: while many see the successes of integration, others tend to become skeptical due to incidents that attract media attention. In some election surveys, only 68 percent of those surveyed are of the opinion that Germany should accept fewer refugees. These tensions reflect the complexity of today's migration policy, which has evolved since 2015 towards stricter laws and a focus on limitation statista.com.

Nevertheless, Behn is optimistic about the coming developments: “We have concepts to be able to react better to crisis situations.” From 2024, new accommodation options will be created in Kummerfeld, Tangstedt and Borstel-Hohenraden, which could represent a positive turn in the housing situation for those seeking protection. However, it remains to be seen how the political mood and the actual circumstances will develop shz.de.