As understanding and ideological as one would like to be about all this, it was exceedingly stupid for Germany to do what they've done.
The alternative was millions of frustrated asylum seekers being forced into detention centers in Hungary and Italy, which the Hungarians and Italians couldn't possibly staff or supply adequately, until their sheer number overwhelmed the local authorities as they flooded into Europe to escape violence, oppression, and starvation.
Merkel bought the EU time to come up with a coordinated, sensible plan by relieving the immediate pressure on the frontline nations. Not all members of the EU have put that time to good use. Some appear to think sticking their heads in the sand will make the problem go away.