Overview
- Germany's chancellor said immigrants are "a problem in the urban landscape" and, when pressed to explain, replied "ask your daughters."
- Opposition figures argued the phrasing echoes far-right narratives that depict migrants as a threat to women.
- Some within the CDU, including MEP Dennis Radtke, criticized the comments as irresponsible for a head of government.
- Merz declined to apologize, saying his remarks were misinterpreted.
- An online campaign titled "Wir sind die Töchter" amassed more than 100,000 signatures on the platform innn.it within about a day.