Leading German industrial groups have called on ruling coalition parties to resolve a row over immigrant policy, saying the controversy threatens to destabilize Europe's biggest economy. The three parties are due to meet today for talks on the crisis days before the EU leaders' summit.
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor for nearly 13 years has been under pressure to reach an agreement with European leaders to keep her and her allies in their places. EU leaders themselves are deeply divided on how to distribute migrants.
The German interior minister said that if Merkel failed to return by at least an agreement to ease the burden on Germany, he would defy her and apply border controls. That could mean the end of the coalition, where Merkel rejects these controls.
During the day, Merkel will meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Berlin as well as European Council President Donald Tusk.
