German Interior Minister Reul backs renewed 'cityscape' debate on migration

Hesse's Minister-President Boris Rhein has called for a continuation of the "cityscape" debate following recent electoral gains by the AfD. "We clearly have a problem," Rhein stated.

Following the AfD's electoral successes, Boris Rhein is urging a continuation of the so-called "cityscape" debate. Support has come from Herbert Reul, North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister, who argues that centrist parties must not leave the topic to others.

North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) has backed the call by Hesse's Minister-President Boris Rhein to revive the "cityscape" debate. Discussion about changes brought about by migration must be possible, Reul told Bild. "We need to be able to talk about changes in our society without foaming at the mouth and without reflexive defensiveness."

Reul pointed to visible changes in public spaces. "Of course our cityscape has changed. That is completely clear. Today we see more groups of young men on the streets with no discernible purpose. And we know: those without a job, without prospects, and without a fixed place in life are more likely to come up with bad ideas."

At the same time, the CDU politician urged differentiation. "One can name this without stigmatizing people across the board." Reul also justified the need for debate by pointing to political competition: "People don't let themselves be taken for fools. If the centrist parties don't talk about this issue, others will. And their proposed solutions are neither differentiated nor democratic."

Rhein Wants to Continue the Debate

Hesse's Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU) called for a continuation of the "cityscape" debate—initiated last year by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU)—following the AfD's electoral successes in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Rhein told Bild am Sonntag that the debate had been "correct." However, he said it was "prematurely" declared that such topics should not be discussed. "Yes, we must discuss it, and in the end we must draw lessons from it," Rhein said.

Merz had spoken in mid-October 2025 about a "problem in the cityscape" in connection with migration and pointed to repatriations "on a large scale" as a solution. The remark was criticized as discriminatory by some in social media and among political and business figures.

Don't Hide Issues Behind a Firewall

Rhein stated that unresolved problems remain "immigration into the social welfare systems" and "criminality among immigrants." He said it was pointless "to hide these issues behind a firewall. They don't disappear that way." These questions must be addressed and solved "with the language of the center, without foaming at the mouth and without radical ideas." In addition to Reul, Rhein has received support from CSU General Secretary Martin Huber and the head of the CDU's social wing (CDA), Dennis Radtke.

However, there was also opposition within the CDU. Federal Family Minister Karin Prien wrote on X regarding the renewed debate: "In Germany, we often argue loudly about the right migration policy and definitely work too little on successful integration of those who have immigrated or fled to Germany. Less 'cityscape,' more confident 'society picture.'"

Strong opposition also came from the opposition. Green Party Deputy Floor Leader Konstantin von Notz accused parts of the Union of imitating the AfD in "lack of complexity and unscientific exaggeration." He said it was right and important to work on causes and contexts and to combat crime—but in a scientifically and factually sound manner.

SPD Deputy Floor Leader Sonja Eichwede also pointed to crime trends. Crime must be fought in all its facets, she said. At the same time, all perpetrator groups must be considered when examining crime. She noted that the total number of recorded offenses is declining, as is the number of non-German suspects.

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