Merz receives backing from Thuringia in the "cityscape" dispute

Erfurt – Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU) defends Chancellor Friedrich Merz's (CDU) statements about allegedly negative changes to the "cityscape" due to illegal migration and dismisses the criticism as "almost hysterical." Voigt told "Bild am Sonntag" that Merz's remarks show "that the Chancellor knows what concerns people on the ground." Voigt continued: "Behind this lie socio-political issues that need to be discussed. But the public has engaged in an almost hysterical debate over the wording." In Thuringia's capital, Erfurt, the government, under an SPD Interior Minister, introduced video surveillance in public places. "We did this because we want to ensure that citizens feel safe," said Voigt. Referring to the government dispute over the reintroduction of conscription, Voigt said: "To put it simply: there are agreements regarding conscription in the coalition agreement that must be implemented – and other countries are showing us that this lottery system is not harmful. So it can be done. I generally advocate for a year of service in Germany, a 'year in Germany,' but there is another agreement in the coalition agreement, so that one applies."