Austria's migration U-turn will cause further conflict
Subject Austria's migration U-turn. Significance The EU's much-praised open border policy, regarded as a major achievement, lies in tatters as one member state after another struggles to cope with the influx of thousands fleeing from conflict zones. Trying to sort out genuine cases from those seeking a better life has split not only the EU but also political parties and domestic politics. Unusually, Austria has risked the open wrath of its big northern neighbour Germany, and has become one of Chancellor Angela Merkel's most forthright critics. Impacts The EU's March 7 agreement in principle with Turkey on readmitting migrants is looking fragile and could unravel. The switch to controlling borders will disrupt trade and travel within the Schengen area. The prospect of further mismanagement of the migrant crisis within the EU could have an impact on the UK referendum on membership in June.