German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has drawn a connection between immigration from abroad and rising violent crime in Germany - triggering sharp criticism. "We have exploding violence in our society, both in the analog and digital space," Merz said on Wednesday during government questioning in the Bundestag. "And then we must also address that a considerable portion of this violence comes from the groups of immigrants to the Federal Republic of Germany."
This observation is part of "the complete picture," the Chancellor added. His remarks came after a Green Party member of parliament had called on him to comment on the societal discussion about digital violence. This discussion had been sparked in recent days by allegations made by actress Collien Fernandes against her ex-husband Christian Ulmen.
Merz rejected the accusation that he was ignoring the issue of digital violence. He wanted "to emphasize that not only women in this country are discussing and talking about this topic, but also many men - and I am one of them." In the Bundestag plenary, Merz's statements about immigrants triggered indignant interjections.
Green Party member of parliament Robin Wagener addressed the Chancellor: "As a man, I am ashamed of how little empathy and clear determination you express in the face of blatant, sexualized violence." Merz responded: "You are entitled to that remark. I find it defamatory."
Left Party deputy parliamentary group leader Clara Bünger accused the Chancellor of "blanket fearmongering against immigrants." "Friedrich Merz is diverting attention from the actual causes of violence and thereby serving a dangerous narrative," Bünger told the AFP news agency. "Anyone who reflexively points to immigration when it comes to violence against women trivializes structural violence instead of effectively combating it."
The Federal Criminal Police Office had presented an analysis in December on the role of immigrants in crime statistics. According to this analysis, nine percent of all suspects in the area of everyday crime in 2024 were immigrants - roughly the same number as the previous year.
The proportion varied depending on the type of offense. For crimes against life, for example, the immigrant share among suspects was 12.2 percent, above the average. For crimes against sexual self-determination, it was 7.9 percent, below average. Overall, the number of all violent crimes in 2024 increased only slightly by 1.5 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office.
During the Bundestag question hour, Merz also defended the planned cuts to support for certain democracy promotion projects: The funds would in future be "really concentrated on those who stand up for our democracy, for our country." Merz responded to a question from Left Party member of parliament Mandy Eißling - and suggested that the cuts could particularly affect left-leaning projects.
Addressing the Left Party member of parliament, the Chancellor said regarding the planned cuts: "That one or another organization close to you may not be considered quite as much as in previous years is a desired result." Eißling subsequently criticized that the impression was being created "that inconvenient actors are being cut off here."
In light of high fuel prices, Merz showed openness in the Bundestag to increasing the commuter allowance. However, a commuter allowance to relieve drivers would only "take effect next year with the respective tax returns," Merz said. He viewed an excess profit tax to skim off corporate profits skeptically due to legal concerns.
Merz made it clear that the federal government's financial possibilities for relief are limited: "We cannot compensate for every price development through tax measures or measures from the federal budget," he said.
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