German Chancellor and Chairwoman of the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU), Angela Merkel, smiles during a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 (Photo: AP)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says despite two recent state election setbacks for her party, she stands by her decisions last year in dealing with the flood of migrants into Europe, but also recognizes the need to address people's concerns.
Merkel's party finished second in the Berlin state election, but finished with only 17.6 percent of the vote, its worst ever showing in the capital.
She told reporters that she meant her mantra "Germany will manage" the migrant situation as encouragement, but that some people took it as a provocation.
She says she knows many disagree with her policies and she's prepared to discuss changes, but that if people simply don't want Muslim asylum-seekers because they are Muslim, that's counter to her Christian Democratic Party's basic principles, as well as Germany's.
Short link: