Friedrich Merz's Dangerous Strategy: Stoking Fears and Adopting Far-Right Tactics

The Concerning Strategy of Friedrich Merz

In recent weeks, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has adopted a concerning new strategy in his bid to become Germany's next chancellor. By stoking fears about immigration and asylum seekers, Merz is playing a dangerous game that threatens to damage both his own party and German democracy while ultimately strengthening far-right populists.

Exploiting Fears for Political Gain

Merz's recent rhetoric, particularly following violent incidents like the attack in Aschaffenburg, demonstrates a clear attempt to capitalize on public anxieties. His statements in the Bundestag exemplify this approach:

"What else has to happen in Germany? How many more people have to be murdered? How many more children have to fall victim to such acts of violence before you also believe that this is a threat to public safety and order?"

This type of language is deliberately manipulative, designed to stir up emotions and create a sense of crisis. By framing isolated incidents as indicative of a broader breakdown in public safety, Merz is following a well-worn populist playbook.

The Dangers of Alarmism

While public concerns about immigration and integration are valid topics for political discourse, Merz's alarmist rhetoric is deeply problematic for several reasons:

1. It misrepresents the actual state of public safety in Germany
2. It unfairly scapegoats immigrants and asylum seekers
3. It creates unrealistic expectations for quick fixes to complex issues
4. It legitimizes and amplifies far-right narratives

Misrepresenting Crime Statistics

Contrary to the picture painted by Merz, crime statistics do not support the notion of a public safety crisis linked to immigration. In fact:

• Asylum applications decreased by a third in 2024 compared to the previous year
• Deportations increased by 20% in the same period
• There has been no explosive increase in violent crimes committed by migrants
• Overall rates of serious crimes like murder have decreased despite population growth

In 1993, with a smaller population, Germany recorded 1,068 cases of murder and manslaughter. In 2023, that number had fallen to 659 despite population growth. This hardly supports Merz's narrative of a country besieged by violent crime.

Scapegoating and Stigmatization

By repeatedly linking violent crime to immigration, Merz is contributing to the stigmatization of entire communities. This was painfully illustrated by the heartbreaking scene of a young Afghan girl feeling compelled to apologize at a memorial service in Aschaffenburg:

"I apologize to the mother of the child. You don't have to apologize, you can't help it, but some people think because I'm Afghan that I'm evil."

This incident highlights the real human cost of inflammatory rhetoric that paints immigrants and refugees as inherently dangerous or criminal.

Creating Unrealistic Expectations

Many of Merz's proposed "solutions" to immigration issues are either legally impossible, practically unfeasible, or likely to be counterproductive:

• Blanket rejections at the border would violate EU treaties and individual asylum rights
• There aren't enough federal police to effectively seal Germany's 3,800 km of borders
• Pushing asylum seekers into limbo between European countries could increase instability and radicalization
• Halting family reunification may hinder integration and create more social problems

By presenting these ideas as simple fixes, Merz is setting himself and his party up for failure while potentially radicalizing voters when these "solutions" inevitably fail to materialize.

Legitimizing Far-Right Narratives

Perhaps most concerning is how Merz's rhetoric serves to normalize and amplify far-right talking points. By adopting the language and policy proposals of parties like the AfD, Merz lends them legitimacy and pushes the entire political discourse further to the right.

The Political Calculus: Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Damage

Merz's strategy appears aimed at shoring up conservative support and potentially peeling away some AfD voters. However, this approach carries significant risks:

Weakening Coalition Prospects

By staking out such hardline positions on immigration, Merz is making future coalition negotiations with parties like the SPD and Greens much more difficult. These parties will likely demand significant concessions in other areas in exchange for even modest immigration reforms.

Setting Impossible Standards

If Merz does become chancellor, he will be judged against the unrealistic expectations he is currently setting. When he inevitably fails to deliver on promises like sealing borders or mass deportations, he risks further eroding trust in mainstream politics.

Strengthening the Far-Right

Ultimately, by legitimizing far-right narratives without being able to fully deliver on them, Merz may end up driving more voters towards parties like the AfD. These parties can always position themselves as offering a more "pure" or extreme version of the policies Merz is hinting at.

A Call for Responsible Leadership

In a world facing multiple crises - from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to climate change and the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House - Germany needs responsible leadership focused on real solutions, not divisive fear-mongering.

Merz would do well to heed the lessons of history and recognize the dangerous path he is treading. Stoking fears about outsiders and promising simple solutions to complex problems has rarely ended well for Germany or Europe.

Instead, Germany needs a nuanced approach to immigration and integration that:

• Acknowledges legitimate public concerns without inflaming tensions
• Focuses on practical, legally sound policies rather than symbolic gestures
• Promotes integration and social cohesion rather than division
• Addresses root causes of migration and works cooperatively with EU partners

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for German Politics

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Merz continues down this dangerous path or chooses to adopt a more responsible approach to leadership. The stakes could not be higher - not just for the CDU's electoral prospects, but for the health of German democracy and society as a whole.

As citizens and voters, it is crucial that we remain vigilant against attempts to exploit our fears and divisions for political gain. We must demand better from our leaders and support those who offer real solutions rather than empty rhetoric and false promises.

Only by rejecting the politics of fear and embracing a politics of hope and pragmatism can Germany navigate the challenges of the 21st century while remaining true to its democratic values and commitment to human rights.

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