Analyse
The phrase *‘Wir schaffen das’* was uttered by Merkel in response to questions about Germany’s capacity to integrate the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers in 2015. The statement became iconic, symbolizing her government’s open-door policy (*Willkommenskultur*) and was reported verbatim by outlets like *Der Spiegel*, *FAZ*, and *Deutsche Welle*. While critics later debated the policy’s success, the factual utterance of the phrase itself is undisputed and archived in official records (e.g., *Bundespresseamt* transcripts).
Achtergrond
In 2015, over 890,000 asylum seekers arrived in Germany, triggering a political and humanitarian challenge. Merkel’s remark aimed to reassure the public amid logistical strains and rising xenophobic tensions, though the phrase’s legacy became polarizing as integration challenges emerged. The context was a press conference where she addressed both practical measures (e.g., accelerated asylum processing) and moral obligations under international law.
Samenvatting verdict
Angela Merkel did say *‘Wir schaffen das’* (We can do this) at the August 31, 2015, press conference during the migrant crisis, as widely documented by credible media and official transcripts.