JOY FEELINGS MAGAZINE March 2016 | Page 59

59 If spending were to spiral, it could further weaken Merkel's fading support. She has warned about the consequences for Europe of border closure. But a poor showing by the Christian Democrats in state elections in March would pressure her to reverse course. "The international financial crisis was a big challenge. We managed that well. The euro crisis was a huge challenge," said Merkel. "This crisis is different because people are coming to us, people with a different cultural background ... where people ask what is this doing to our country." She said, however, that she saw nothing that would prompt her to change course. Commenting on her plan, Merkel, a trained scientist, said: "It's all well thought through. It's logical." (Reporting by John O'Donnell; Editing by Ralph Boulton and Peter Cooney) JF mag!