Merz's visit to Dresden: Protests against controversial statements threaten!

Merz's visit to Dresden: Protests against controversial statements threaten!

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is expected to make his inaugural visit to Dresden, Saxony, today. The Chancellor would like to prepare for his term in office with a tight program, even if the city does not expect any major restrictions as a result of his visit, according to the press office. However, the Dresden transport company has already pointed out that there could be short-term disruptions, especially in the afternoon during rush hour.

From 4 p.m., the Alliance Against Cuts, Tolerave, Fridays for Future and Banda Comunale are calling for a demonstration against Merz's politics. This takes place near the State Chancellery, at Schlossplatz and at the Palace of Culture. The demonstration train is expected to disrupt traffic, which is why diversions of tram lines could be problematic, especially over the Augustus Bridge. The Carola Bridge is also not available.

Merz's tight schedule

Merz is welcomed to Dresden at 2:30 p.m. by the music corps from the mountain town of Schneeberg. Three Sorbs will also present him with bread and salt as a welcome greeting. After the ceremonial welcome, participation in a cabinet meeting is on the agenda, followed by a visit to the craft education center of the Dresden Chamber of Crafts. His conversation with students and apprentices will be particularly interesting before Merz completes his trip to the semiconductor manufacturer Globalfoundries to discuss the expansion plans for the Dresden factory.

The protests against Merz did not break out without reason. In recent days, his handling of the issue of “cityscape” and statements about migrants in Dresden and other German cities have led to numerous demonstrations. On Monday evening, around 2,000 people protested against his statements at the Leipzig market, while several hundred people in Chemnitz were also critical of such developments.

A look at the public reaction

The tensions surrounding Merz's inaugural visit reflect how deeply his political statements are already being discussed among the population. While some of his views will be met with approval, others will criticize him for racism and ill-advised statements. It remains to be seen how the protests will develop today, while Merz could possibly already be at his upcoming appointment at the Chamber of Crafts at this point.

Overall, Friedrich Merz's inaugural visit to Dresden will be accompanied by both official program items and a lively protest, which responsibly reflects the mood in the city.

For anyone who would like to take a closer look at the background, the emerging tensions or the Chancellor's visit itself, further information can be found at MDR and Freie Press.