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CDU leader Friedrich Merz is damaging the "value foundation of the Union," critics say
Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa
With his commentary on the "social tourism" of Ukrainian refugees, Friedrich Merz not only alienated political opponents, but also parts of his own party.
The CDU social wing has made serious accusations against the party leader for his choice of words and the subsequent apology.
"Merz used the usual method of right-wing populists: first cross borders, then row back," said Christian Bäumler, vice-chairman of the workers' wing (CDA), the dpa news agency.
"In doing so, he stands in his own way on the way to the chancellor's office and thus harms the Union."
In a recent survey by SPIEGEL this week, Merz had overtaken Robert Habeck as the "most suitable candidate" for the office of chancellor - but the survey data was collected before Merz's most recent statements.
Merz rowed back
The Baden-Württemberg CDU politician Bäumler believes that Merz' statement is evidence of a lack of social skills.
»90 percent of war refugees from Ukraine are women, children and young people.
Anyone who defames these people as social tourists damages the Union's foundation of values.«
The party and parliamentary group leader said in an interview on Monday evening: "We are now experiencing social tourism from these refugees: to Germany, back to Ukraine, to Germany, back to Ukraine." In his opinion, the background to this is that Ukraine Refugees have received basic security since June, i.e. the same benefits as, for example, Hartz IV recipients, and are therefore somewhat better off than asylum seekers.
On Tuesday, Merz regretted his statement, but pointed to increasing problems with the accommodation of refugees.
"I used this word social tourism with no intention of offending anyone or accusing anyone personally."
muk/dpa
