Stance on Migrants Leaves Merkel Isolated at Home and in Europe

After a year in which Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed more than a million asylum seekers, that decision has left her more embattled and isolated, at home and in Europe, than perhaps at any other time in her 10 years in office. Most dangerous for the chancellor: Her weakened position leaves her with narrowing room to maneuver on the refugee issue and reduces her leverage with unhappy European partners. Germany stands increasingly alone in the migrant crisis, exemplified by Austria’s decision this week to set a cap, which Ms. Merkel’s government called “not helpful.”