German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was criticised on Monday for remarks about migrants made during a Potsdam visit, sparking a row over his use of the expression “urban landscape problems.”
Potsdam Visit After Egyptian Talks
At the start of the week, Merz toured Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, following a diplomatic trip to Egypt where he signed a Middle East peace plan drafted by President Trump.
The itinerary included a river cruise on the Havel and a school visit, all proceeding smoothly until a brief press conference on migration policy.
Controversial Remarks
Merz asserted that the influx of refugees to Germany had fallen since he took office and added, “We still face this issue in the urban landscape, so the Interior Minister is working on large‑scale repatriation.”
Opposition Accuses of Racism
Nearly forty Green Party politicians demanded an apology for “racist, discriminatory, harmful insults” directed at people affected by racism and exclusion, calling the remarks a “black‑mail” of German identity.
Green Party leader Felix Banaszak warned that calling for more deportations sends a fatal signal, while Left parliamentary group chair Soeren Pellmann asserted that the chancellor’s gaffe was a blow to democracy.
Split Response from German Officials
Some politicians defended Merz, pointing to reports of violence and the obligation of certain groups to leave the country. Former Saxony prime minister Michael Kretschmer emphasized the need to enforce norms and values.
