Merkel says multiculturalism has failed

POTSDAM, Germany, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel says multiculturalism has thus far failed in her country and immigrants need to do more to integrate into German society.

Speaking to younger members of her conservative Christian Democratic Union party in Potsdam Saturday, Merkel said people in Germans "have kidded ourselves" by thinking foreign workers who have entered the country since the 1960s would eventually leave, the BBC reported.

"And of course, the approach [to build] a multicultural [society] and to live side-by-side and to enjoy each other ... has failed, utterly failed," she said.

The chancellor said immigrants need to learn German and otherwise do more to integrate themselves into German culture.

But, she added, "We should not be a country, either, which gives the impression to the outside world that those who don't speak German immediately or who were not raised speaking German are not welcome here. That would do great damage to our country."

The BBC said a recent survey indicated more than 30 percent of Germans believe Germany has been "overrun by foreigners."