🇩🇪 Friedrich Merz has been criticized over his remarks that a “noticeable share” of crimes in Germany is committed by migrants During a speech, Merz said that Germany must speak openly about the causes of violence, including the fact that a “significant portion” of such crimes is linked to migrant groups. His comments drew sharp criticism from lawmakers representing Alliance 90/The Greens and The Left. Following his remarks, Interior Ministry spokesperson Christoph de Vries stated that particularly high figures are recorded among nationals of Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Morocco. He added that, in terms of suspects in violent crimes per 100,000 people, the figure for Syrian nationals is n

Friedrich Merz has been criticized over his remarks that a “noticeable share” of crimes in Germany is committed by migrants

During a speech, Merz said that Germany must speak openly about the causes of violence, including the fact that a “significant portion” of such crimes is linked to migrant groups.

His comments drew sharp criticism from lawmakers representing Alliance 90/The Greens and The Left.

Following his remarks, Interior Ministry spokesperson Christoph de Vries stated that particularly high figures are recorded among nationals of Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Morocco.

He added that, in terms of suspects in violent crimes per 100,000 people, the figure for Syrian nationals is nearly 11 times higher than for German citizens, and noted that women are most often the victims of such violence.

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) Apr 13, 2026