Vice-chancellor expects 1m refugees to arrive in Germany in 2015

German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said on Monday that up to a million refugees may arrive in Germany in 2015 -- a figure bigger than the current official estimates of 800,000 asylum applications.

"There are many indications that we won't take in 800,000 refugees this year as the Interior Ministry has predicted, but a million," Gabriel wrote to his Social Democratic Party (SPD) in a letter seen by media.

Large numbers of refugees have reached Germany in recent days, with more than 19,000 arriving in Munich -- the main point of entry -- over the weekend alone.

The German government decided on Sunday to reintroduce border controls to cope with the rising influx of people.

Gabriel defended on Monday Germany's decision, saying temporary controls were not a permanent closure of borders or suspension of the basic right of asylum, but necessary to maintain control and keep order at the borders.

The vice-chancellor said it was a clear signal to European partners that Germany could not receive all the refugees alone.

Even with the best will in the world, he added, Germany "has seen in recent days that our capabilities are reaching their limits."

Source: XINHUA