Don't be so naive: The benefits to Merkel and Co. are pretty obvious. Virtually every refugee who then becomes a German citizen will vote for her and her party almost until the day they die. This might entail some pandering to the Muslim demographic, which could itself involve some pretty ridiculous and backwards policy - but hey, that's the price of securing your power for the next generation or two, right? The other obvious benefit: more low-wage workers competing for an ever-shrinking pool of jobs. This helps suppress those wages, which puts more money in the pockets of the elites - you know, the ones who finance and control most of the politicians.