Merkel’s Memoir Reading Cast as Reproach to Merz in Germany’s Migration Debate

Overview

• At a Bonn reading of her memoir, Angela Merkel urged restraint in political tone and cautioned against labeling 2015–2016 a mass influx, remarks widely interpreted by Bild as aimed at Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• Merz had said migration remains visible in the appearance of cities and told questioners to ask their daughters for clarity, comments that drew condemnation from politicians and protesters who called them racist and discriminatory.
• A Wahlen poll for ZDF conducted October 21–23 found 63% agreement with Merz’s position, with support at 42% among those under 35 versus 66% among those over 60.
• An INSA ranking for Bild showed Merz falling to 19th of 20 in political popularity, with a 35.2% rating in a survey of 2,004 people conducted October 24–27.
• More than 50 prominent women issued an open letter reported by Der Spiegel seeking stronger protections for women and criticizing the use of daughters rhetoric as a pretext for racist statements.