Scholz derides opposition in migration debate for 'sloganeering'

Following the collapse of cross-party migration talks in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attacked opposition leader Friedrich Merz on Wednesday as a grandstander with no interest in actually solving issues.

Scholz derided Merz for posturing in the right-wing press while failing to engage in good-faith negotiations over genuine policy changes.

German citizens don't want to see theatrical performances, but serious and serious politics, Scholz claimed.

"Sloganeering, not getting anything done," Scholz shouted at Merz and other lawmakers from the centre-right CDU/CSU bloc.

It would have been good to find real joint solutions to the migration issue, said Scholz: "We will never slam a door, you can always come back."

But Scholz suggested Merz wasn't interested in substantial debate.

"You are the type of politician who thinks he has already solved the migration issue with one interview in 'Bild am Sonntag,'" said Scholz, referring to a widely read tabloid newspaper.

Scholz joked that Merz had already forgotten what he'd proposed barely after leaving the newspaper's offices - "because you never intended to deal with it."