"Earlier this week German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Potsdam, the capital of the eastern state of Brandenburg, on a trip that was supposed to offer some respite after a high-profile diplomatic event in Egypt, where he attended the signing of US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan. The itinerary included a boat cruise down Havel River, which connects the German capital with Potsdam, and a stop at a kindergarten."
"The visit was going swimmingly until Merz gave a brief press conference, where he was asked questions about Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt's tough stance on immigration and the rise of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in light of its strong approval ratings. The party which has been classified as partly right-wing extremist polled at 34% in Brandenburg in late September, far ahead of the Social Democrats (SPD), who govern the state in coalition with another party."
"In an approving tone, Merz said the number of refugees fleeing to Germany had fallen since he took office in May, "but we still have this problem in the cityscape, and that is why the interior minister is working to carry out large-scale deportations." Furious opposition over 'racist' remarks What did Merz mean by "problem in the cityscape"? Was he referring to cities afflicted by housing shortages and high unemployment,"
Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Potsdam after attending the signing of the US Middle East peace plan, including a boat cruise and a kindergarten stop. During a press conference he was asked about Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt's hardline immigration stance and the strong polling of the right-wing AfD in Brandenburg. Merz said refugee arrivals had fallen since May but added, "we still have this problem in the cityscape," and defended large-scale deportations. The phrase's meaning was unclear but prompted fierce criticism from opposition parties and some CDU members. Dozens of Green politicians demanded a public apology, calling the remark racist and discriminatory.
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