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Merz links "exploding violence" to immigration and remains vague on deepfake law

Chancellor Friedrich Merz called digital and real-world violence "exploding," attributed part of it to immigrant groups, refused to give a clear commitment to the planned deepfake criminal law, and wants to facilitate IP retention.

During the chancellor questioning in the Bundestag Friedrich Merz stated, a clear commitment to a planned law against pornographic deepfakes was absent, even though the case of actress Collien Fernandes fueled the debate.

Merz referred to the existing Protection Against Violence Act and stressed the need to close criminal law gaps, but did not say concretely how the planned law would fill those gaps.

The chancellor announced that he intends to enable IP address retention in the future to facilitate prosecutions, presenting this as a contrast to the Greens' positions that are critical of data protection.

In the debate Merz linked the "exploding violence" partly to immigrant groups, a statement that outraged parts of the opposition and politicized the discussion about causes.

On the question of rising fuel prices and a possible windfall profits tax Merz said that a practical definition of excessive profits is difficult; he named oil companies as affected parties, but saw diplomatic solutions in the international conflict as an effective lever.

What position do you feel closer to?

Merz supporters (Law & Order)

Merz sets the right priorities: tough law enforcement and clear identification of problems instead of symbolic placebo laws.

Civil liberties & migrant protection

Merz fuels mistrust of migrants and endangers fundamental and freedom rights with blanket blame and surveillance fantasies, instead of strengthening digital protection effectively and in line with fundamental rights.

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