Group 1 - The core issue revolves around German Chancellor Merz's controversial comments regarding women's safety and immigration policies, which have sparked significant public debate and protests [1][2] - A public letter from 50 women in various fields criticized Merz's statements for exacerbating divisions among female victims and for being indifferent to their concerns [1] - Merz's remarks have been interpreted as attributing safety issues to immigrants without permanent residency or jobs, leading to accusations of racism from opposition parties [1] Group 2 - Despite the controversy, Merz's comments received a relatively high approval rating, with 47% of respondents viewing his statements positively regarding women's safety in public spaces [2] - A survey indicated that 55% of women in Germany feel unsafe in public areas, with clubs and train stations being the least safe, as only 14% reported feeling secure there [2]

Core Viewpoint - The European Union (EU) is experiencing a population increase primarily driven by immigration, with the population expected to reach 450.4 million in 2024, marking a historic high [1] Population Statistics - The EU's population in 2024 is projected to be 450.4 million, an increase of over 1 million from 2023 [1] - In 2024, the EU is expected to record 4.82 million deaths and 3.56 million births, resulting in a net immigration of 2.3 million to offset natural population decline [1] - The population growth is largely attributed to increased immigration flows, as the EU has recorded more deaths than births since 2012 [1] Demographic Trends - Germany, France, and Italy remain the most populous countries in the EU, collectively accounting for 47% of the total EU population [1] - Among the 27 EU member states, 19 are experiencing population growth while 8 are seeing declines, with Malta and Latvia being the fastest growing and declining countries, respectively [1] Societal Challenges - The EU faces significant challenges related to an aging population and low birth rates, which place a heavy burden on social security systems and create labor shortages [1] - There is a growing anti-immigration sentiment in several EU countries, leading to increased border controls in nations such as Belgium, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands to address public concerns about immigration [1]