US EditionGerman Chancellor Faces Growing Backlash over Migration Remarks
Chancellor Merz faces backlash for linking ethnic changes in cities to crime while trying to counter far-right influence, with critics from his own party and coalition partners.
- On Tuesday, Friedrich Merz faced growing criticism in Germany after his cityscapes remark widely linked ethnic change to crime, and he doubled down when asked to clarify.
- When he became CDU leader in 2022, Friedrich Merz pledged to beat back the Alternative for Germany , which is polling around 20 percent nationally, shaping his dilemma this year.
- Social Democrats' general secretary Tim Kluessendorf said `I expect more of a head of government`, Greens leader Katharina Droege questioned Merz's motives, and CDU's Dennis Radtke said `Friedrich Merz is no longer shouting banter from the sidelines` and emphasized `as chancellor he has a particular responsibility for social cohesion, debating culture and creating positive future narratives`.
- Protests erupted in Berlin and other cities after the remarks, while government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said the comments reflected Merz's party role and some regional leaders backed tougher deportation enforcement.
- The episode exposes a broader strategic choice for the CDU between courting or repudiating AfD voters, as the CDU/CSU bloc's weak February general election result complicates Merz's calculations.
14 Articles
14 Articles
According to Merz's statements about the "Cityscape", there are first reports about the suspicion of popular incitement. Greens and activists are mobilizing against the chancellor.
The statements by Chancellor Merz on migration provide a lot of criticism. The CDU politician defends himself: women would not feel safe in the cityscape. What about the Kassel star?
Friedrich Merz under fire over ‘dangerous’ migration remarks
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor, is facing strong criticism for what many describe as “dangerous rhetoric” on immigration. But why have these remarks sparked such a strong reaction across Germany and what do they reveal about the country’s political mood on migration?
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz called immigrants “a problem in the street scene.” He has not backed down from his statement, and it is also destabilizing the government.
Merz's divisive comments are a distraction from real problems in Germany
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has come under fire for doubling down on what many see as racist remarks on diversity in cities. Rather than addressing underlying social issues, Merz risks sowing division, says Rachel Loxton.
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