The sex attacks that took place in Cologne on New Year’s Eve were simply a “matter of public order” and had nothing to do with the refugee crisis, Jean-Claude Juncker’s inner circle believe.
The European Commission will be the “voice of reason” and tell the public that there is no link between the migration crisis affecting the continent and attacks on women in Germany, internal minutes disclose, amid growing fears of a “xenophobic” backlash.
The minutes of the European Commission’s weekly cabinet meeting from January 13 hint at officials’ fears that the events in Cologne could turn public opinion sharply against the million migrants who have entered Europe.
They spell out Mr Juncker’s frustration at the inaction of national governments under pressure from voters, and hint at panic that the inability to halt a growing volume of economic migrants could undermine the “credibility” of the European project. Dimitris Avramopoulos, the migration commissioner, said the EU is facing its “moment of truth”.
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