World Immigration News

‘Ask your daughters’: Merz defends his call for large-scale deportations

Release Date: 2025-10-21
Media: The Guardian
Summary: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has come under heavy criticism for his hardline rhetoric on immigration after calling for “very large-scale expulsions” from cities and claiming that “anyone with daughters” would agree with him.

Merz, who took office in May pledging to curb the rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), refused to retract or apologize for his remarks despite backlash from journalists, coalition partners, and members of his own conservative CDU party. Critics accused him of echoing extremist narratives that link migrants to violence against women and of stoking racial prejudice.

Figures from the Greens and Social Democrats said his comments were divisive and patronizing toward women, while even CDU colleagues warned that such rhetoric was inappropriate for a national leader and risked legitimizing far-right ideas.

Merz defended his stance as being about “public safety,” arguing that restoring security is key to rebuilding trust in mainstream parties. His previous comments have also drawn controversy for implying that diversity itself is a problem in German cities.

The CDU/CSU alliance has been struggling in polls after a weak 28.5% result in the February election, while the AfD has surged to record levels of support. As the party strategizes ahead of five state elections next year, some members have questioned whether maintaining a strict “firewall” against any cooperation with the AfD is sustainable.

Merz reaffirmed that his party would not work with the far right, emphasizing fundamental differences, and vowed to counter the AfD through effective governance and economic revival. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel mocked him on social media, saying his rejection of cooperation would only strengthen her party’s support.
Tags: Germany

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