CDU leader Merz has just caused outrage when he speaks of "social tourism" by Ukrainian refugees. Now he gets support from the mayor of Tübingen, Palmer. It cannot be that people only come to Germany because of "increased performance incentives".
After CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the mayor of Tübingen, Boris Palmer, has now spoken out about the Ukrainian refugees in Germany. "It is incomprehensible why there should be first and second class refugees and why we provide so many services that people only change their previous country of refuge and come to Germany because of these increased performance incentives," said Palmer in the podcast "Die Wochentester" of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger and the editorial network Germany. There's a problem, he said.
A few days ago, Merz caused a stir because he accused Ukrainian refugees of social tourism. A short time later he rowed back with an if-then apology: "If my choice of words is felt to be hurtful, then I apologize in all formalities."
Palmer said Merz should "not be intimidated". But the CDU leader "didn't help the term, because now the rebels have the upper hand again." Palmer has repeatedly caused a stir in the past with controversial statements. After allegations of racism, the politician will suspend his membership in the Greens until the end of 2023.
The background to the debate about the Ukraine refugees is that, unlike other refugees, they have direct access to the Hartz IV system. According to the federal government, however, it has no evidence of abuse of services by Ukrainian refugees.
