German voters have shown over and over again that they want migration to be taken seriously. Yet even the mildest statement on the importance of border control from Chancellor Friedrich Merz has caused his coalition partners—and, now, even members of his own (CDU) party—to kick up a fuss.
This makes clear what the public is already coming round to: that a serious change in policy requires a change in government.
Merz said last week that his government has come “very far along” in securing Germany’s borders, which is questionable enough, before adding that “we still have this problem in the cityscape”—a clear (albeit mild) reference to migrant crime.
His coalition partners in the SPD were quick to jump on the comments, including General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf, who said a focus on migration “divides and destroys trust.”
I have to say that my expectations of the head of a state are considerably higher.
More seriously than this, senior figures in Merz’s party have also spoken out. Despite accepting that there is a “disturbing cityscape” issue underway, Dennis Radtke, chairman of the employee wing of the CDU, ‘reminded’ Merz that he “is no longer the whimsical commentator on the sidelines who slaps people on the wrist.”
Instead, as chancellor, he bears a special responsibility for the cohesion of our society, the culture of debate, and a positive narrative for the future.
Commentator Anna Nina stressed on Wednesday that these (over-sensitive) officials have got it the wrong way around: “Merz didn’t say too much, but much TOO LITTLE in the debate about cityscapes.”
Merz, in fairness to him, has stuck by his comments, insisting that “I have nothing to retract—on the contrary.” He even added that those with daughters will understand exactly what he is warning about.
But the affair reveals that while he is right about cityscapes, he is in a coalition with the wrong people, who will never take the issue of migration seriously.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
