Merz honors Turkish guest workers, condemns 'remigration' on 65th anniversary

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned the concept of "remigration" while honoring Turkish guest workers' contributions to Germany's prosperity on the 65th anniversary of the recruitment agreement. He warned against renewed xenophobia. Merz praised Turkish workers' "often extraordinary diligence" in building Germany's industrial base and wealth, particularly in the Ruhr region. He criticized that migrants are still sometimes treated as foreigners despite integration efforts. The chancellor explicitly distanced himself from the AfD's "remigration" approach, calling it an attack on modern Germany. He defended his government's migration policies as necessary for integration resources while supporting skilled worker immigration.