WAKING UP: Poll: Germans increasingly skeptical of refugees. “A rising number of Germans believe the country cannot handle the massive influx of refugees, are concerned of rising crime and a threat to their culture, and question Chancellor Angela Merkel’s policies, according to a poll by public broadcaster ZDF published on Friday.”

For the first time, a majority of Germans say the country cannot manage the influx of asylum seekers, compared to 46 in December. Meanwhile, only 37 percent find the crisis manageable. . . .

Nearly one-third of respondents [say] the [New Year’s Eve] attacks had an impact on their opinion of refugees. . . .

A vast majority of 70 percent of respondents expect crime to rise due to a large increase in refugees, compared to 62 percent with the same view when asked in October. Only 27 percent do not expect crime to rise.

Meanwhile, 73 percent of respondents believe laws and procedures for deporting asylum seekers who commit crimes should be strengthened . . .

Furthermore, compared to 33 percent of respondents in October saying that refugees represent a threat to German culture and societal values, 42 percent now believe so. That compares to 52 percent of Germans who do not view refugees as a threat. . . .

Compared to 49 percent in December, 56 percent of respondents now say that they do not believe Merkel is doing a good job handling the refugee crisis.