Friedrich Merz: Racist statements meet resistance in Dresden

Friedrich Merz: Racist statements meet resistance in Dresden

On October 29, 2025, Friedrich Merz's visit to Saxony will cause excitement and discussions. In his speech, the CDU party leader commented on a supposed “problem in the cityscape” and thereby signaled a clear preference for certain population groups. These statements contribute to shifting the social debate to the right and portray migrants as scapegoats. In fact, the cityscape in Saxony is shaped by JN troops, the AfD and the Free Saxons and not by the numerous migrants who are an important part of society, as is the case with Democracy Team reported.

The rhetoric of Merz, who sees the AfD as his biggest opponent and at the same time receives support for right-wing propaganda from his host Michael Kretschmer, fuels fears towards migrant groups. It emphasizes that the perception that migrants are responsible for more crime is untenable. An analysis shows that migrants do not commit crimes disproportionately and that fear of them is often used as a tool to distract from social inequalities and the influence of the rich.

Solidarity instead of division

At the event, representatives of the Saxon Refugee Council, Fridays For Future Dresden and activists such as Rasha Nasr, Clara Bünger and Kassem Taher Saleh spoke about the precarious living situations of those seeking protection and the often brutal deportations. They emphasized the importance of the connection between social and environmental struggles. They received musical support from various artists such as C.C.Estrés and the Fiatelle brass band. Strong participation in a demonstration on Tuesday against racism and right-wing agitation was also called for in order to create a diverse Dresden.

Overall, racism is a central topic in today's discussion, not only in Saxony, but throughout Germany. It is a structural and social phenomenon that affects generations, as explained in an article by bpb. Racism disproportionately affects people with a migrant background and is often perceived as a threat to social plurality. In Germany, 21.2 million people have a migration background, which corresponds to 26% of the population. Discrimination against these groups is reinforced not only by individual prejudices, but also by structural and institutional conditions.

Research and civil society

To counteract this, the National Discrimination and Racism Monitor (NaDiRa) was founded, which uses innovative methods and works closely with affected communities. This research, based at the DeZIM Institute in Berlin, examines the effects of racism in areas such as health, housing, work and education. The aim is to develop long-term indicators to show structural disadvantages, as explained in the Racism Monitor.

In summary, it is essential for the social discussion to openly name racism and to put solidarity at the forefront in order to overcome division and inequality. The developments in Saxony are a clear appeal to everyone to actively stand up against discriminatory tendencies.