Thousands Rally Against Merz’s “Cityscape” Remarks at CDU Headquarters
Berlin – Over 2,000 demonstrators gathered in front of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters in Berlin on Monday evening to protest recent statements made by party leader Friedrich Merz regarding immigration and German identity. The exhibition followed a similar rally at the Brandenburg Gate on Sunday, signaling growing public backlash against Merz’s rhetoric.
Merz’s comments, in which he described certain neighborhoods as not feeling “German” anymore, have ignited a fierce debate about integration, racism, and the representation of diverse communities within Germany. Critics accuse him of echoing far-right narratives and failing to adequately distinguish his party from the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The protests underscore increasing anxieties about the normalization of anti-immigrant sentiment within mainstream political discourse and the potential consequences for social cohesion.
Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans denouncing Merz’s statements and advocating for diversity and inclusion. Speakers at the rally criticized what they described as a lack of differentiation between the CDU and the afd, and warned against the dangers of divisive rhetoric.
A similar demonstration took place Sunday evening at the Brandenburg Gate under the motto “fire wall up! We are the cityscape,” drawing hundreds of participants who also protested against racism and championed diversity. both rallies reflect a broader public concern over the direction of the debate on immigration and integration in Germany.
