German Chancellor Merkel's Open-Border Refugee Policy Now Under Strain After Yesterday's Terror Attacks In Paris

Bloomberg: Merkel's Open-Arms Refugee Stance Tested as Europe Goes on Alert

* Populists will try to abuse this' after Paris attacks
* Mideast security now more in focus for German government

European capitals went into high security alert after Paris was rocked by terrorist attacks that threaten to open up a new dilemma for Angela Merkel and other leaders advocating an open-door policy for refugees from war zones in the Middle East.

With the French capital in shock, President Francois Hollande blamed Islamic State for the killing of more than 120 people in the city on Friday night in what could be further evidence of a shift in tactics by the Islamist terror group from the battlefields of Syria and Iraq to civilian targets in Europe.

If borne out, that pivot to Europe may give fuel to critics of the German chancellor who argue that allowing free entry to refugees risks making it easier for extremists to slip through the security net. French police said a Syrian passport was found on the body of one suicide bomber in Paris, The Associated Press reported.

WNU Editor: If it is under strain now .... it is not hard to imagine what it will be under if refugees by the millions more start to pour into Europe next year (as predicted) .... or if there is 1,2, 3, or even more terror attacks with a link to her open border policy or to refugees fleeing the Middle East. In a crisis like this it is important that a leader must not rule against the will of the people .... and that if there is a difference .... to make the case and let the electorate decide. For Angela Merkel .... her path is very simple .... if she believes in her vision of an open-arms refugee policy .... she should make the case and then let the electorate decide. If she wins ... she has her mandate. If she loses .... so be it.