Europe's migrant crisis dims once unassailable Merkel's aura

In Stefan Wagstyl’s web article “Europe’s migrant crisis dims once unassailable Merkel’s aura” he contends that Merkel’s popularity in Germany and abroad is paying a heavy toll due to her stance on the migrant crisis. Wagstyl develops his argument first by, alluding to recent unexpected opposition to Merkel; he then supports his stance with the recent status of the countries Austria and Macedonia who have begun to close their borders to migrants; and to conclude he strengthens his position by referencing the recent upsurge in votes for the rightwing populist Alternative for Germany party. His purpose is to expose the challenges that Merkel is facing at home and abroad in order to emphasize that her once inextinguishable popularity is waning. He seems to have a right wing conservative audience in mind because he emphasizes an increase in right wing fueled activity across the European Union.

Work Cited

Wagstyl, Stefan, and Alex Barker. "Europe's Migrant Crisis Dims Once Unassailable Merkel's Aura." Financial Times. N.p., 15 Mar. 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2a25f54-e784-11e5-ac45-5c039e797d1c.html#axzz4337JnDoD>.

Europe in over its head

Summary

The political cartoon by Dan Wasserman is portraying the European commission failing to take immediate action in response to the migrant crisis. The foreground of the cartoon displays three individuals that represent the commission are portrayed as perplexed on what action to take and how said action needs to be taken if taken at all. The background and foreground display washed up bodies of migrants and a capsized ship leaving many migrants drowning  reaching their hands out for aid.

Analysis

The cartoon portrays a baffled European Commission as they try  to deal with the European migrant crisis. One of the most important sections of the cartoon are the three individuals that form the European Commission and the statements they are making: “Should we address this at our next meeting?” this alludes to the Commission's reluctance to  quickly address the issue, “We’d need support from all 28 nations” is alluding to a reluctance in trying to cooperate with all the  European Union member states, and “We can ask for a show of hands.” represents the disorganized manner of which the commission looks to take action.  The other important sections are the middle-ground and background that allude to the many migrants that have perished trying to reach the shores of Europe, but as a whole the migrants represent the crisis as a whole. The most striking feature  is how calm the commission people seem to be as they stand amongst the lifeless migrant bodies and look on as many  migrants are seemingly drowning reaching out for assistance, this represents the complacent nature of commission in wake of the crisis. This connects to the idea that as the crisis ensues the European commission has failed to bring the European Union together in taking a single unified action in dealing with the crisis. A failure to take action has raised doubt in the true integrity of the European Union itself. Such a failure to take action poses as a threat to both the European Union and unfortunately the thousands of migrants caught in a political and social limbo.

Work Cited

Wasserman, Dan. "Europe Faces Waves of Refugees." Boston Globe. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2016. <https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015/04/21/editorial-cartoon-europe-faces-waves-refugees/QvFojPxi3LWsFcO3bdia1I/story.html>