Germany has welcomed thousands fleeing conflict and repression with open arms. Chancellor Angela Merkel was a leading voice in offering them safe haven.

But her government has now reintroduced border controls. Other European countries have followed Germany's example and also closed their borders.

Why the sudden u-turn? Did Chancellor Merkel get it wrong?

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Mekonnen Mesghena is an expert for migration and diversity at the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin. He says: "Merkel may not have a plan, but she has shown humanity and leadership"

Andreas Kluth is the Berlin bureau chief of The Economist. He believes: "There is a real risk that Europe could fail at the biggest humanitarian challenge it has ever faced. If it betrays its values in this way, Europeans will turn away from the EU."

Burkhard Birke is a correspondent for the German radio broadcaster Deutschland Radio. He has reported in the past from Washington, Brüssels, London and Paris. He says: "For the first time, Merkel has a clear position: Border controls are a means of forcing other EU countries to show solidarity."