In his speech at the memorial service at Freiburg, Oettinger described Filbinger as "not a National-Socialist" but as "an opponent of the Nazi régime", who "could flee the constraints of the régime as little as millions of others". Referring to Filbinger's role as a naval judge, Oettinger pointed out that no lives were taken by Filbinger's verdicts and that he did not wield the power and freedom suggested by his critics. Oettinger was subsequently accused by politicians and the media of playing down the significance of the Nazi dictatorship. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted by publicly admonishing him, stating that she would have preferred for "the critical questions" not to be raised. Oettinger was also criticized by opposition politicians and the Central Council of Jews in Germany; some critics even called for his dismissal.