Millions of Ukrainians flee war as Russia attacks their country. Some of them seek protection in Germany. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz accuses Ukrainian war refugees of “social tourism”. His words inspire horror.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has complained about “social tourism” from Ukrainian refugees to Germany. He told Bild TV in an interview: “We are now experiencing social tourism from these refugees: to Germany, back to Ukraine, to Germany, back to Ukraine.” The background, according to Merz: Initially, Ukraine refugees were entitled to care under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act – since June they have received basic security, i.e. the same benefits as Hartz IV recipients.
In his own words, Merz expects even greater problems with refugees from Russia “if the Federal Government did what the Federal Minister of the Interior suggested, namely to give practically all conscientious objectors to military service mobilization in Russia access to the Federal Republic of Germany”. The Union is “strictly opposed”.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” that deserters threatened with severe repression usually receive international protection in Germany. “Anyone who courageously opposes the regime of President Vladimir Putin and therefore puts himself in the greatest danger can apply for asylum in Germany because of political persecution,” said the SPD politician. However, the granting of asylum is a case-by-case decision, in the context of which a security check is also carried out.
The statements of the CDU chief draw sharp criticism. Green Party leader Ricarda Lang asked on Twitter, “How does it actually fit in with the Union’s much-vaunted solidarity with Ukraine that Friedrich
The national chairman of the Jusos, Jessica Rosenthal, wrote: “Cheap profiling without a moral compass – I once associated that with a party that sits to the right of the Union.” Merz shows that there is only solidarity with Ukraine for the CDU as long as it serves to raise its own profile. “Disgusting and indecent.”
The SPD member of the Bundestag and member of the Committee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, Derya Türk-Nachbaur, also considers Merz’s statements to be “shameful”. She tweeted: “Feigned solidarity with the victims of a war of aggression is quickly exposed with underground language such as ‘social tourism'”. Thomas von Sarnowski, party leader of the Greens in Bavaria, says something similar: “With this, shortly before the Lower Saxony elections, he is completely turning to hard right-wing populism – on the backs of people who are fleeing the war. How shabby!”
