Britain’s new leader May seen as more Merkel than Maggie

While containing caveats about self-imposed military restraint and acting in concert with Germany’s partners, the draft lays out a shifting view of outside challenges – from Russian Federation to refugees – that’s already driving Merkel and her government toward a more assertive stance.

Repercussions have included infamous events like the mass sex assaults in Cologne on New Year’s Eve, while a string of migrant-linked crimes including rapes in public swimming pools have further inflamed the situation.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party risks a drubbing at key state elections on March 13, 2016 as voters punish the German leader for her liberal refugee policy, while the right-wing populist AfD eyes major gains as it scoops up the protest vote. That reflects the stance taken by Merkel and her defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen, who in May announced Germany’s first buildup of military personnel since the Cold War ended 25 years ago.

Anything can happen between now and the German national election in 2017, where Merkel is expected to run for a fourth term.

Anti-immigration parties were quick to capitalise on the admission.

UKIP’s Migration spokesman Steven Woolfe MEP commented: “Angela Merkel has finally admitted what UKIP have been saying for some time that the migrant route past year was exploited by potential terrorists wanting to infiltrate the European continent”. During that time there were security checks on the border between the two countries.

Merkel has been one of Europe’s most important proponents of opening up Europe’s borders to refugees fleeing Syria as well as other parts of the Middle East and North Africa.

For now, this means using all ways of military cooperation authorised under the EU treaties and “strengthening the European defence industry” through tie-ups, with France in particular.

Germany is ready to take on responsibilities and leadership, reflecting “our increased role in global security policy”, according to the document, which also backs further consolidation of Europe’s defense industry.