German Politician Defends Friedrich Merz Amid Criticism from Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Johannes Volkmann, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and grandson of former Chancellor Helmut Kohl, has come to the defense of Friedrich Merz, a CDU politician, who has faced sharp criticism from Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Volkmann argued that Scholz should focus on his own party’s failures, rather than attacking Merz. “Have you ever looked at what Helmut Schmidt said about migration policy a few years ago? He would likely be canceled from his own party today” Volkmann told the German magazine Stern.
Volkmann rejected criticism of Merz’s approach, stating that the Social Democrats and the Greens, who are in government, are failing to address the issue. “Where is Olaf Scholz and where are his proposals for migration policy?” he asked. Volkmann also emphasized that the opposition should not need to seek the government’s approval for their initiatives.
However, Volkmann did not rule out the possibility of cooperation with other parties, saying, “We are seeking majorities in the center and excluding any form of cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).”
In a separate statement, Volkmann criticized the Social Democrats and the Greens for being out of touch with reality. “My impression is that the discussion in the red-green echo chambers has become disconnected from the daily lives of the majority of this country’s people” he said. “Many people are tired of not being able to express their concerns about the changing public space due to illegal migration, out of fear of social ostracism.” He claimed that the CDU aims to give a voice to these people.
Volkmann acknowledged that the CDU had made mistakes in the past, saying, “I think it’s good that we used our time in opposition to address our own errors – not just in migration policy, but in general.” He emphasized the importance of the CDU’s credibility and stability in order to regain its connection with the people on the right of the political center.