Friedrich Merz, the leader of the main opposition Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in Germany, said that "Germans cannot get an appointment while asylum seekers get their teeth done", which caused reactions in the country.


"Asylum seekers are treated at doctors and dentists and have their teeth fixed, while German citizens next door cannot get an appointment," Merz said yesterday on the "Welt-Talk" program about asylum seekers.

Stating that although 300 thousand asylum seekers' refugee applications were rejected, these people did not leave the country, and that asylum seekers received financial aid and full medical care, Merz said, "The public sees this and is going crazy."

The ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the Left Party criticized Merz for "populism".

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "Populism will further inflame the atmosphere in the country."

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said, "This is pathetic populism on the backs of the weakest. Anyone who speaks in this way pits people against each other and only strengthens the AfD."

While many politicians from the opposition criticized Merz, the Christian Social Union (CSU), the sister party of the CDU, supported Merz.

In a statement to Deutschlandfunk, CSU Vice President Manfred Weber defended the leader of the main opposition party, saying, "Friedrich Merz reflects what people on the street say."