| | '''Horst Seehofer''' (born July 4, 1949) is the former minister-president of [[Bavaria]] and current chairman of the [[Christian Social Union of Bavaria]] as well as Minister of Interior of [[Germany]]. | | '''Horst Seehofer''' (born July 4, 1949) is the former minister-president of [[Bavaria]] and current chairman of the [[Christian Social Union of Bavaria]] as well as Minister of Interior of [[Germany]]. |
| | He is known as a vocal critic of [[Angela Merkel]]'s refugee policies. In an interview in early 2018, Seehofer said that Germany had been "shaped by Christianity", and that the country should not give up its own traditions. Furthermore, he stated that [[Islam]] "does not belong in Germany,"<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43422770</ref><ref>Huggler, Justin (March 16, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/16/german-interior-minister-declares-islam-does-not-belong-country/ German interior minister declares 'Islam does not belong' in the country]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> though Merkel quickly responded by saying that "Islam belongs to Germany."<ref>Hale, Virginia (March 16, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/16/islam-belongs-germany-merkel-insists/ ‘Islam Belongs to Germany’, Merkel Insists After Minister Highlights Nation’s Christian Heritage]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.thelocal.de/20180316/islam-doesnt-belong-to-germany-says-interior-minister-horst-seehofer Merkel contradicts interior minister, saying ‘Islam belongs to Germany’]. ''The Local''. March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> Seehofer also criticized the [[European Union]] for being too condescending in its interactions with its Eastern European members on immigration issues.<ref>Plucinska, Joanna (March 18, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-patronizes-eastern-members-on-migration-says-seehofer/ EU ‘patronizes’ Eastern members on migration, says Seehofer]. ''Politico''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> | | He is known as a vocal critic of [[Angela Merkel]]'s refugee policies. In an interview in early 2018, Seehofer said that Germany had been "shaped by Christianity", and that the country should not give up its own traditions. Furthermore, he stated that [[Islam]] "does not belong in Germany,"<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43422770</ref><ref>Huggler, Justin (March 16, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/16/german-interior-minister-declares-islam-does-not-belong-country/ German interior minister declares 'Islam does not belong' in the country]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> though Merkel quickly responded by saying that "Islam belongs to Germany."<ref>Hale, Virginia (March 16, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/16/islam-belongs-germany-merkel-insists/ ‘Islam Belongs to Germany’, Merkel Insists After Minister Highlights Nation’s Christian Heritage]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.thelocal.de/20180316/islam-doesnt-belong-to-germany-says-interior-minister-horst-seehofer Merkel contradicts interior minister, saying ‘Islam belongs to Germany’]. ''The Local''. March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.</ref> Seehofer also criticized the [[European Union]] for being too condescending in its interactions with its Eastern European members on immigration issues.<ref>Plucinska, Joanna (March 18, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-patronizes-eastern-members-on-migration-says-seehofer/ EU ‘patronizes’ Eastern members on migration, says Seehofer]. ''Politico''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> |