German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is facing cross-party criticism following his remarks about the return of Syrians. SPD Deputy Chair Anke Rehlinger and politicians from the Greens, Left Party, and even CDU reacted with disapproval on Tuesday after Merz cited specific numbers following his meeting with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Merz emphasized that al-Sharaa himself had mentioned "the figure of 80 percent returnees."
During a joint press conference with al-Sharaa on Monday, Merz stated that it was the Syrian president's "wish" that 80 percent of Syrians living in Germany should return within the next three years. According to the Central Register of Foreigners, approximately 930,000 Syrian nationals currently reside in Germany. If 80 percent were to return, that would mathematically amount to 740,000 people.
SPD Deputy Chair Anke Rehlinger called it "not a smart idea for the Chancellor to put concrete numbers in concrete timeframes on the table." This raises expectations "that he may not be able to meet," the Saarland Minister-President told newspapers of the Funke Media Group. At the same time, she expressed understanding that al-Sharaa wants the return of his compatriots.
According to Winfried Kluth, Chairman of the Expert Council on Integration and Migration, Merz is creating "false expectations" with his statement. He is also unsettling "the affected people, which should be avoided," Kluth told Handelsblatt. While the desire for return is understandable given the necessary reconstruction in Syria, whether a safe return is currently possible is "difficult to assess."
CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter called it "domestically unfavorable to raise high expectations that right-wing populist parties can then exploit" in Handelsblatt. Many Syrians also work in professions with skilled worker shortages. Germany should have an interest in keeping well-integrated Syrians in the country, the CDU politician said.
SPD Bundestag member Hakan Demir expressed similar views. "The Chancellor just blurted it out," the domestic policy spokesman told Handelsblatt. He also pointed out that a large number of Syrian men and women are employed in Germany, including many in so-called bottleneck professions such as healthcare, logistics, and hospitality.
Greens Bundestag member Luise Amtsberg called the statement that 80 percent should return in the next three years "not only unrealistic but cynical." This ignores "not only the fragile security situation in Syria, but also the fact that many Syrian refugees have long been part of our society," she told newspapers of the Funke Media Group.
Left Party member Clara Bünger told Rheinische Post that Merz's statement sends the message to hundreds of thousands of people that they are not welcome in Germany.
Merz responded to the criticism on Tuesday by noting that "the figure of 80 percent returnees" was mentioned by al-Sharaa himself. "We have taken note of this figure, but we are aware of the dimension of the task." German government circles stated that it is "fundamentally good news that Syrian men and women who left their country because of the civil war are returning to their homeland and beginning to rebuild it." The Chancellor's meeting with al-Sharaa was "an important signal" for this.
Germany and Syria agreed on a joint action plan for future cooperation at the meeting. The document published on Tuesday does not mention concrete return figures. However, the restoration of infrastructure and public services is cited as a crucial prerequisite for a "voluntary, safe, and dignified" return of Syrian citizens to their homeland. The action plan lists numerous measures through which Germany will help the country devastated by years of civil war get back on its feet.
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