Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner, has publicly distanced himself from remarks made by federal CDU leader Friedrich Merz regarding the appearance of German cities and their connection to migration policy. Wegner, speaking from Windhoek, Namibia during a working trip, asserted that Berlin’s distinct character-a blend of international perspectives and diversity-is intrinsically reflected in its urban landscape. He cautioned against attributing underlying societal challenges to nationality.
While acknowledging concerns surrounding violence, waste and crime within the city, Wegner stressed the importance of evidence-based analysis, rejecting generalizations based on perceived ethnic or national origins. “Criminality should never be met with emotion, but always with verifiable figures” he emphasized, advocating for pinpointing problematic groups through statistical data while condemning broad-stroke accusations.
Wegner conceded that the influx of asylum seekers in recent years has placed a significant strain on Berlin’s resources and integration capabilities, admitting that the city is approaching the limits of its capacity. He stated that while deportation figures have recently increased, Berlin continues to grapple with challenges in this area, necessitating increased support from the federal government. “We need even better support from the federal government and we need further repatriation agreements with other nations” he explained, suggesting a collaborative effort to facilitate the deportation of individuals with expulsion orders.
The disagreement emerged after Merz, during a press conference in Potsdam, linked concerns over the rise of the AfD with migration policy, stating that “we still naturally have this problem in the cityscapes” and referencing the Interior Minister’s efforts to enable increased deportations. The comments triggered considerable backlash on social media, with many interpreting them as discriminatory against migrants. Wegner’s intervention seeks to temper the narrative and shift the focus towards concrete data and collaborative solutions, highlighting a potential rift within the conservative CDU on how to address complex societal issues. The debate underscores the politically charged nature of migration policy in Germany, especially in the context of rising nationalist sentiments.