German opposition leader under fire over migration comments

The leader of Germany's centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) remains under fire over recent comments about immigration, including dismissive remarks about rejected asylum seekers who "sit at the dentist's and have their teeth redone."

The Protestant bishop in Braunschweig, Christoph Meyns, denounced Merz's remarks during services on Sunday at Braunschweig Cathedral in central Germany. He accused Merz of promoting prejudice and resorting to right-wing populism.

"This is intolerable," the clergyman said, according to a copy of his remarks distributed in advance.

Merz had suggested that migrants are the reason dental appointments can be difficult to find in Germany, and attacked the government for not deporting migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected.

Dentists in Germany rejected Merz's claim, noting that German law provides only limited dental coverage for migrants. The head of Germany's national association of dentists said there is "no connection" between migration and waiting lists at dental offices.

Meyns, the bishop, said that kind of attitude does not fit with the leader of a party that has "Christian" in its name, and said a careful fact-based discussion is needed to find solutions for challenges around migration and refugees.

Merz, who has claimed a more conservative position for the CDU than former party leader Angela Merkel, has frequently faced controversy over his remarks about immigration.

Centre-left politicians denounced Merz's latest remarks about migrants and dentists. But criticism against Merz also came from within the ranks of the CDU.

Christian Bäumler, deputy leader of the CDU's more centrist wing, on Saturday called on Merz to retract his remarks or renounce his future candidacy for chancellor.

"Merz's lapses are not compatible with Christian values. Many CDU members are ashamed of their party leader," Bäumler told dpa.

Merz on Saturday stood by his remarks at a CDU party event in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, dismissing criticism as "gasping."