German Politician Sees 'Different Cityscapes,' Not Neoliberal Rot
Deutsche Welle reports CDU leader Friedrich Merz drew 'ire' for lamenting that 'different cityscapes' are now visible in Germany due to migration. This perfectly sanitizes what is, for Merz and his ilk, a dog-whistle for 'too many non-Germans.' The actual 'ire' should be directed at the political class which, for years, has overseen urban decay, underfunded public services, and created a housing
crisis, then blames 'migration' rather than neoliberal austerity. Instead of addressing the systemic issues that make integration challenging, Merz points to a convenient, visible scapegoat. One might wonder if these 'different cityscapes' are a direct result of diverse communities thriving despite government neglect, or if they're simply what happens when public funds are diverted to defense
budgets and corporate subsidies, leaving cities to fray. It's a classic misdirection: complain about the symptoms of social change while ignoring the policies that exacerbate it. How convenient to blame 'others' for the problems you helped create.