Turkish deal reducing numbers of migrants

After first opening the doors of Germany to migrants in need of help, pressure from within and across the rest of Europe has forced Angela Merkel into an uneasy agreement with Turkey. Despite the fact that it seems to be working, it may damage her legacy, says Leonid Bershidsky

There is an excellent reason for German chancellor Angela Merkel to want a good relationship with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan: The European Union’s March deal with Turkey appears to have defused the refugee crisis for now.

Merkel can now concentrate on political damage control and on restoring her position in the EU, undermined by a costly flutter of her compassionate heart last year.