Merkel and Merz: Debate about migration and cityscape escalates!

Merkel and Merz: Debate about migration and cityscape escalates!

In the current political debate, the focus is on citizens' fears regarding migration. Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently expressed concerns that many people feel uneasy in public spaces, particularly in relation to migrants who are required to leave the country. This statement caused an uproar, not least because Merz pointed out that these groups often do not work and do not adhere to social rules, which causes concern among the population, as rheinpfalz.de reports.

Merz, who has been more reserved in his statements in the past, also brought up a significant reduction in new asylum applications by 60 percent from August 2024 to August 2025. These numbers could help reshape the public's image of migration. Despite the positive development, the need for returns is repeatedly discussed in the political discussion. Green parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge criticized Merz's statements as hurtful, while Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn pointed out the visible consequences of irregular migration, which further fueled the discourse on these topics, as tagesschau.de analyzes.

Cityscape and social impact

Merz’s remark about the “cityscape” suggests a deeper, concerned perception. Critics emphasize that this represents a euphemistic code for the visible presence of people who do not conform to the typical German norm. This term is interpreted as the basis for populist demands for deportations. Sociologist Nina Perkowski explains that such statements increase the collective feeling of unease and thus legitimize measures such as deportations. At the same time, it is important to note that although there is a higher crime rate among migrants, this is often also due to social and demographic factors, as bpb.de points out.

Erich Helfrich points to larger global political problems, while Johannes Bader criticizes Merz's populist language and questions the effectiveness of deportations. This shows the tensions within the political discussion, which is often characterized by fears and misunderstandings. Some voices, such as Markus Gehlbach's, also point out that vacancies in inner cities are a more serious problem than the presence of groups in urban areas, which often receives too little attention in the discussion.

Collateral damage of fear

Fear of crime is an issue that is more widespread among the public. Migrants are overrepresented in police crime statistics, but this is not always based on the reality of crime developments. It is a fact that a small proportion of migrants become criminals, but actual crime rates among adults who have access to the labor market are low. Rather, prevention measures should be aimed at integration in order to promote positive development in societies, as the data shows. There are clear links between social pressures, migration and an increase in violations, which should be taken into account when designing future policies.

Overall, the discourse on migration and crime shows that a good knack for solutions is required. Expressions of opinion like Merz's and their reactions make it clear that in the debate about migration and integration it is difficult to find the balance between security and social acceptance. It remains to be seen how these discussions will develop and what measures will be taken to address the legitimate fears of the population, without losing sight of integration and the social fabric.