Around 2,000 people gathered outside the headquarters of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in Berlin late on Tuesday to protest the chancellor’s recent statements about “problem in the urban landscape” because of immigrants, which, he said, women are well aware of.

A few days ago Friedrich Merz stated that although the number of irregular immigrant arrivals has decreased, “the problem remains in the urban landscape”causing reactions from political opponents, but even from CDU officials. Asked afterwards about the statement in question, the chancellor not only refused to rehearse, but reversed the question: “Do you have daughters? Women feel increasingly unsafe in cities. Therefore, I have nothing to retract. Anyone who sees the issue in their daily life knows that I am right with this comment, which I am not making for the first time and will not be the last. I have nothing to take back. Anyone who asks their daughters will probably get a pretty clear and unequivocal answer about what I might have meant by my comments.” he stated.

“We are the daughters”

Last night’s demonstration was organized at the initiative of the organization “Together against the right”which called to “feminist rally” under the slogan “We are the daughters”.

According to the Berlin police, they participated in the rally 2,000 people, while the organizers spoke of 7,500 participants.

“Mertz bears special responsibility for the cohesion of our society”

Criticism of the chancellor’s statements was expressed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the Left, while the head of the social wing of the CDU Dennis Radke demanded a “different style” from him Friedrich Mertz. “Of course, we have a worrying urban landscape in many areas, but to suggest that this will change through deportations is too simplistic, creates unrealistic expectations and does not do justice to the complexity of the problem (…) Friedrich Merz is no longer the witty commentator on the fringes he attacks. Instead, as chancellor, he has a special responsibility for the cohesion of our society, the culture of debate and a positive narrative for the future.”he added.

The former leader of the CDU Armin Lasset called Mr Merz’s statement “very nebulous” and warned of the risk of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) taking advantage. “Mr. Mertz could have made his point more clearly. The urban landscape is not just about immigration. It also includes drug syringes thrown by German drug addicts in parks, anti-Semites shouting Hamas slogans or far-right radicals marching in the streets.” emphasized Mr. Lassett.