Esken attacks Merz after fire in accommodation for refugees

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The SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken

Photo: Fabian Sommer / dpa

On Wednesday a fire destroyed accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the authorities assume arson.

It's not the first shelter to have been attacked in recent days.

Now SPD leader Saskia Esken has blamed conservative politicians for the attacks.

Esken told the "Rheinische Post" that those who serve hatred against refugees are preparing the ground for such acts.

Specifically, she included CDU leader Friedrich Merz: "Anyone who slanders war refugees as social tourists, far from all the facts, must ask themselves what part they have in the hatred and agitation that later leads to violence."

Merz had claimed that Ukrainians would commute between the war and Germany.

He did not provide any evidence for the statement.

After criticism, he apologized for his statement and described it as an "inaccurate description of a problem that can be observed in individual cases".

Esken said of the suspected arson that it was frightening that not only "the far-right constitutional enemies of the AfD" served hatred against refugees.

“Conservative politicians are also increasingly sinking to a populist level.

Recent statements about the admission of people seeking protection in Germany are irresponsible - and they not only prepare the ground for social divisions, but ultimately also for such criminal acts.«

State security determined, suspected political background

In the fire in Groß Strömkendorf near Wismar, the former hotel that served as accommodation was largely destroyed on Wednesday evening.

At the time of the fire, there were 14 refugees from Ukraine and three caregivers in the building.

Nobody got hurt.

The police assume arson and suspect a political background, which is investigating state security.

Numerous politicians had already expressed their dismay at the fire on Thursday.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) announced that the rule of law would react with all means at its disposal if the suspicion of arson was confirmed.

In the afternoon, a vigil is to take place on the Wismar market square, which the state government's integration officer, Jana Michael, has called for.

She is convinced that many people in Northwest Mecklenburg and across the country would resolutely oppose hate and hate speech, she said.

mrc/dpa