German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that Syrian refugees in Germany must return home now that the war in Syria is over, or face deportation.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that Syrian refugees in Germany must return home now that the war in Syria is over, or face deportation.
In a controversial statement made during a visit to Husum in northern Germany, Chancellor Merz emphasised that there is no longer any reason for Syrians who fled the 13-year civil war to continue seeking asylum in Germany. He added, “For those who refuse to return to their country, we can of course expel them.”
This marks a significant shift in Germany’s migration stance, especially under pressure from far-right parties.
Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has been grappling with how to address migration without losing ground politically.
His comments sparked internal debate, particularly after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Damascus and stated that the potential for Syrians to return was very limited due to widespread destruction of infrastructure.
Despite Merz’s assertion that the war is over, many experts and humanitarian groups argue that Syria remains unsafe for mass repatriation.
The country continues to face political instability, economic collapse, and human rights concerns. Merz has reportedly invited Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Germany to discuss the logistics of deportation and repatriation.
This development could affect the estimated one million Syrians currently living in Germany, many of whom arrived during the peak of the refugee crisis in 2015–2016.
The practical and ethical implications of forced returns are likely to dominate German and European political discourse in the coming weeks.
COMMENTS