Friedrich Merz's statements about the repatriation of Syrian refugees from Germany spark controversy, while the foreign minister warns about the precarious conditions in Syria.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU, opened the discussion about the repatriation of Syrian refugees from Germany, stating that the country needs their workforce for reconstruction. He mentioned that many Syrians might return voluntarily, and the German government will support the repatriation process and expedite expulsions for those who have committed crimes. These statements contradict the position of Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who emphasized that repatriation is only possible to a limited extent due to the massive destruction in Syria, where living conditions are unacceptable.

Germany is facing an intense debate between the necessity of repatriating refugees and the difficult realities in Syria, where infrastructure is severely damaged and return is not considered safe. Over a million Syrian refugees have arrived in Germany since 2015, and now discussions are taking place about their future in the context of the situation in their home country.