Chronology of missteps
What Friedrich Merz has already achieved
A friend of questionable words: the CDU chairman Friedrich Merz
© Leonhard Simon / Getty Images
The CDU chairman Friedrich Merz did not make the first misstep with his statement about asylum seekers at the dentist. A chronology.
A chronology of missteps:
Rejected asylum seekers at the dentist
They sit at the doctor and have their teeth changed, and the German citizens next door don’t get any appointments.
Friedrich Merz on September 27, 2023 in “Welt-Talk” on the Welt channel.
Collaboration with the AfD
We have a clear decision-making situation in the CDU. We do not work with the AfD. Not in parliaments, not in local councils.
Friedrich Merz on July 23, 2023 in the “ZDF Summer Interview”.
The morning after the broadcast, he responded to the criticism, especially from his own party, via Twitter:
In mid-September, the CDU Thuringia, with votes from the AfD, pushed through a reduction in the real estate transfer tax in the state parliament – exactly with the AfD Thuringia, which is classified as proven right-wing extremist by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The consequences of violating the resolution so emphasized by Merz in the summer interview: none.
Little Pashas
Especially when it comes to teachers, they sometimes correct their sons, the little pashas.
Merz on January 10, 2023 on ZDF with “Markus Lanz”.
After New Year’s Eve riots in Berlin, the CDU chairman pointed out integration problems in schools – and that fathers would not allow teachers to “reprimand their sons, the little pashas.” In contrast to the social tourism statement, he emphasized at the CDU convention in June: “It stays with the Pashas.”
Social tourism
We are now experiencing social tourism by these refugees: to Germany, back to Ukraine, to Germany, back to Ukraine.
Merz on September 26, 2022 on “Bild TV”.
Merz later admitted it was a mistake to have spoken of alleged “social tourism” in connection with Ukraine refugees.
homosexuality
As long as he doesn’t come near me, I don’t care.
Merz on December 6, 2001 in the “Bunten”.
This is what the CDU politician replied to the question: “Germany’s capital is ruled by a gay man. Do you think he’s as good as Mayor Klaus Wowereit?”
Marital rape
Until 1997, marital rape was not a criminal offense. On May 15th of that year, the Bundestag decided to change this – with a roll-call vote. This is why we know: Friedrich Merz was one of the 138 MPs who voted against criminalizing marital rape.
Further sources:ZDF summer interview, “Frankfurter Rundschau” on marital rape