Friedrich Merz: International media speak of “colossal mistake”

The Swiss speaks about the tightening of the migration policy “Daily Anzeiger” from one “colossal mistake” by Friedrich Merz. Other media also criticize the Union Chancellor candidate.

“La Stampa” (Italy): “Merz made a number of misjudgments, and as so often, he paid for it. A decision like the demolition of the fire wall, the barrier to defend the extreme rights, cannot be improvised. And he has to say that it has to be clearly said. He did not shared them sufficiently with his own people. He did not convincingly articulate them rhetorically. He did not prepare them for public opinion (until ten days ago he said in every microphone “Never with the AfD”). And although suggestions were made to him from many sides, he did not follow anyone. Merz has thus confirmed what was said about him and what (ex-chancellor Angela) Merkel cannot bear: in no time listening, often ruthless.”

“The Times” (England): “So far, the deeply rooted distrust of the radical right has slowed down the rise of the AfD. But the terrorist riots and the opportunism of Friedrich Merz-which he contested-give the outsider party new boost. It looks like Olaf Scholz is paying a high political price for his carefree attitude towards the wave of migration, which was triggered by Angela Merkel’s folly.”

“de folkskrant” (Netherlands): “It seems to be excluded that Friedrich Merz leads coalition negotiations with the AfD after a possible election victory. But in German media, experts express fears that a cooperation at regional level could do school. Especially in the East German federal states, where the AfD is the strongest or second strongest party, the temptation for the CDU is increasing.”

“The press” (Austria): “Merz takes a risk with his concept. By earning two applications and a change in the law before the election in the Bundestag, he cemented his position. SPD and Greens accuse him of ignoring both German and European law. Germany must bind to the rules, behave more correctly than Viktor Orban in Hungary, they say towards Merz. This makes the way for all three longer, which you will probably have to travel to the negotiating table after the election. Because Merz rules out with the AfD. And for a majority with the FDP it should hardly be enough. That also means: The chance is great that Merz suggests a solution that he cannot implement. And little would change for the German population. Except for Merz, it makes it like the Austrians and still tears the fire wall to the right wing. Then Europe would have lost its political center.”

“Daily Anzeiger” (Switzerland): “The so -called fire wall, which is supposed to protect the politics of the democratic center from the AfD, which is anti -constitutional, has not yet collapsed – but she is already missing a few bricks. Nobody suspects Merz to coalize Alice Weidel after the election with the AfD Chancellor candidate. The CDU boss himself said that this would destroy his party. That is why it is all the more incomprehensible that he now shares the AfD hand without need in parliament. All this only because he hopes for additional votes with pithy announcements for migration shortly before the election? Merz is right with the conviction that Germany needs a stricter asylum and migration policy. But that was already true before mentally struck protection seekers in Magdeburg and Aschaffenburg arranged massacre. Radical announcements – limits, foreigners out – are popular with many people, including in Germany. However, a state-supporting party like the Christian Democrats can expect better suggestions than the AfD’s right and inhumane populism. Merz, on the other hand, is now in fact with the cooperation in the Bundestag Weidel with her most important election promise: ‘There is only a real asylum seeker with the AfD.’ Was that really what he wanted?”

“De standaard” (Belgium): “The CDU chairman insists that he will never work actively with the AfD and that a hard procedure is simply necessary to contain crime by immigrants. But how credible is he still after the vote this week? The political strategy that is behind his controversy views is clear. Merz believes that he can capitalize in his country from the growing hostility to migrants in order to gain votes. He wants to lure some of the AfD voters into his camp. He can promise them something that AfD candidate for chancellor Alice Weidel cannot do: participation in power. It is uncertain whether the strategy works. The first signs indicate that his flirt could cost him with the right -wing extremists. But the elections are only three weeks away.”