Mrs Merkel says she is now focused on integration as she attempts to counter rising anti-migrant sentiment and support for far-right parties in local elections. But the Chancellor downplayed the crisis claiming it is not the biggest challenge she has faced in her chancellorship. When asked if it was unfair that she has been blamed for the migrant crisis, Mrs Merkel told German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel: “No. I am the Chancellor of this country. It happens that jointly achieved successes get only attributed to me; it is the same with outstanding issues.

“It is a big challenge, but not the first one. Think of the international financial crisis, the euro crisis or the Ukraine conflict.” The under-pressure Chancellor once again defended her controversial policy, saying: “Those who have to make indicatory political decisions have to do this even if it polarises.” The Chancellor has been warned Germany could face civil war if the migrant crisis is not handled effectively by her far-right rival Frauke Petry. Mrs Petry’s populist far-right party Alternative for Deutschland has had a meteoric rise in popularity with voters angry at Germany’s migrant policy.