Merz hopes that majority of Syrian refugees will return to their homeland in 3 years

Merz said, that after more than a year passed since the end of the war in Syria, the security situation there had greatly changed and that the situation regarding the Syrian refugees protection in Germany need to be reconsidered, but he didn’t state any specific details of how this could possibly be done. This is seen by some as a measure to win over voters that could otherwise choose AfD with its strict antiimmigrant agenda. On his side, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated his hopes that approximately 80% of Syrian refugees in Germany will return home. But at the same time both leaders said they understand that a part of those refugees will stay in Germany, with Merz saying that his country would like for some Syrians, for example doctors, to stay. al-Sharaa also stated that two governments are working on a model which would enable Syrians to contribute to their homeland without losing their security and stability in Germany. At the same time, Syrian President’s visit had caused some unrest. Franziska Brantner, a member of Germany’s Green Party, which is in opposition to the current government, said that a lot of Syrians actually cannot return to their home country, as it lacking the necessary infrastructure as well as security risks which still persist. Another of her arguments is that a big number of Syrians have integrated in Germany, holding jobs and having their children sent to local schools. The Kurdish Community in Germany (KGD) asked Merz to demand binding guarantees for protection of ethnic minorities in Syria (of which the Kurds are a part of). They accuse al-Sharaa of numerous human rights and international law violations, as well as war crimes. During the Syrian war, almost a million Syrians became refugees in Germany.

Written by journalist of EUReflect Danylo Aleksandrov.