Lars Klingbeil, Germany’s Deputy Chancellor, strongly criticized controversial statements made by Friedrich Merz, the country’s Chancellor, regarding migration.
Klingbeil, who leads the Social Democratic Party in the coalition government, warned that politicians should not divide society into “us and others” categories.
Speaking at a meeting in Hanover, he emphasized wanting to live in a country where politics builds bridges and connects society rather than creating division through words.
Klingbeil also stressed that people’s appearance should not determine whether they fit the “face of the city,” directly referencing Merz’s controversial phrase.
The criticism follows Merz’s comments about the “face of the city” which sparked widespread reactions. Many critics deemed these statements racist, and protests have been held in several German cities against these remarks.
The controversy continues to dominate political discourse in Berlin.
