Merz faces backlash over migration comments | JQJO

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces intensifying backlash after describing a “problem in the cityscape” solvable by deportations during a visit to Brandenburg, language critics say echoes the far right despite his pledge to distance his conservatives from the AfD. Asked to retract, he refused, invoking daughters’ safety. Activist and Greens member Luisa Neubauer urged young women to gather outside CDU headquarters, accusing Merz of using them to justify “discriminatory” remarks. CDU MEP Dennis Radtke and SPD general secretary Tim Klüssendorf called for a more responsible, solutions-focused approach. Merz cited a 60% drop in migration and large-scale repatriations.