The Roots of German Openness

With firmness and clarity, Merkel has condemned all forms of xenophobia and criticized her European counterparts for refusing to accept refugees. Rather than worrying about offending people or losing the next election, she is following the diktat of her conscience. The daughter of a Protestant pastor raised in East Germany during Communist rule, she is standing up for Christian Democratic values. Indeed, at a time when most European political leaders are lacking in inspiration and direction, if not courage, Merkel has emerged as Europe’s moral compass.