Merz advocates for deportations to Syria: "The civil war is over" - Friedrich Merz Invites Syrian President to Discuss Repatriation, Calls for Criminal Deportation
Friedrich Merz, the German politician, has addressed the contentious issue of Syrian refugee repatriation. He has invited Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to discuss the matter and has expressed Germany's commitment to supporting the return of Syrians and the recovery of their country.
Merz, who recently visited Damascus, downplayed comments by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul regarding the challenges of Syrian returns. He attributed Wadephul's cautious stance to the devastation witnessed during his visit. Despite this, Merz believes many Syrians are eager to return home to contribute to their country's rebuilding efforts.
The interior ministry, led by Alexander Dobrindt, is working on plans to deport Syrian criminals. Merz has called for the deportation of those who refuse to return, stating that only 'very few exceptional cases' would be considered for deportation, as mentioned by Wadephul. The ministry's plans, confirmed by Dobrindt in November 2025, focus mainly on individual serious offenders rather than large-scale deportations.
Friedrich Merz has initiated dialogue with Syria's interim president to facilitate refugee repatriation. While acknowledging the challenges, he remains optimistic about Syrians' desire to return home. The interior ministry is preparing for the deportation of criminal elements, with Merz advocating for the removal of those who refuse to leave voluntarily.
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