Christmas trees part of German 'Leitkultur' says CDU's Merz
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz has said Christmas trees are part of Germany's "guiding culture." This loaded term pervades German migration debates — whether it refers to required learning or action is often unclear. Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), on Thursday returned to the contentious topic of defining the country's "Leitkultur" — which could be translated as "guiding" or "leading" or "mainstream" or even "dominant" culture in English — by suggesting the purchase of a Christmas tree was an integral part thereof. Speaking with the Funke Media Group, the outspoken politician said, "When we talk about Leitkultur, about our way of life, then for me, this includes buying a Christmas tree before Christmas." "It is part of our Western Christian-influenced identity," he continued, adding that it has been so for generations an...