{"id":136553,"date":"2026-04-01T07:09:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T07:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=136553"},"modified":"2026-04-01T07:09:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T07:09:52","slug":"germanys-merz-faces-backlash-over-call-for-syrians-to-go-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/136553\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany’s Merz faces backlash over call for Syrians to \u201cgo back\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has drawn criticism from political figures, civil society groups and members of his own coalition after stating that the \u201cvast majority\u201d of Syrians living in Germany should eventually return to Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remarks came during a joint appearance in Berlin with Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa on March. Merz said that, over the next three years, Germany would work toward broad-scale returns of Syrians, citing a figure of 80 percent that he attributed to al-Sharaa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Sharaa did not publicly confirm the figure, and the statement appeared to take several German officials by surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anke Rehlinger of the co-ruling Social Democrats (SPD) warned against setting specific targets and timelines for returns, saying this could raise expectations that may not be met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She warned that many Syrians are now integrated into German society and workforce, with thousands having obtained citizenship in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criticism also emerged from Merz\u2019s own Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Foreign policy spokesperson Roderich Kiesewetter described the figures as \u201cproblematic,\u201d highlighting the role of skilled Syrian workers in the German economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The German Hospital Society underlined the importance of Syrian medical staff, noting that more than 5,700 Syrian doctors and around 2,000 carers currently work in German healthcare facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition Green Party co-leader Franziska Brantner called the repatriation goal \u201creckless,\u201d citing ongoing instability and security concerns in Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migration advocacy group Pro Asyl urged that policies remain guided by human rights rather than deterrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official data shows that more than 3,700 Syrians had voluntarily returned from Germany as of November 2025. Facing mounting criticism, Merz later clarified that the 80 percent figure had been cited by the Syrian president and acknowledged the complexity of any large-scale return process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Jwan Shekaki<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) \u2013 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has drawn criticism from political figures, civil society groups and members of his own coalition after stating that the \u201cvast majority\u201d of Syrians living in Germany should eventually return to Syria. 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