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Over half of Germans believe limit for asylum seekers reached: study

Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Around 54 percent of Germans believe that their country has reached its limit in terms of the acceptance of refugees, according to a recent survey by the Bertelsmann foundation.

Meanwhile, the study shows that while Germany in general is still a society that is open to asylum seekers, public opinion reflects a decreased willingness to accept more refugees.

And west and east Germans are showing some difference in their acceptance to the refugees, according to the survey, which shows 65 percent of respondents in the west part of the country and 33 percent in the east say they welcome the refugees.

But both the figures declined from 74 percent and 53 percent two years ago, showing the sentiment change.

Germany's welcoming culture has seen the country accept more than 1.2 million asylum seekers over the past two years.

Despite the German sentiment change towards asylum seekers, the survey still finds a majority of 59 percent believe asylum seekers should be welcomed. And a larger majority, about 88 percent, expressed a wish for fast-track work permits, and 77 percent wish to see their successful integration into society.

A big majority of the respondents expressed the opinion that those immigrants who plan to work or study in Germany are welcome, a continued increase since 2012.

Among the positive effects of immigration accepted by Germans, ease to the establishment of international companies, countering to the shortage of skilled professionals and additional pension insurance revenues rank high with 56 percent, 41 percent and 34 percent respectively.

But all of these positive measures have decreased by over 10 percent compared with the previous study.

Correspondingly, those surveyed rated the negative impacts higher than the previous, with increasing numbers agreeing on the negativity of factors such as: the load on the welfare state, 79 percent; potential for conflict, 72 percent; problems in schools, 68 percent; and an intensification of the housing shortage, 65 percent.

"The Germans self-confidently look back at having received so many people in such a welcoming manner. However, they also say: now, it is the turn of other countries, as well," said Joerg Draeger, member of the executive board of the Bertelsmann foundation. Endit