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German chancellor clarifies Syrian refugee comments after backlash
Merz said the figure came from Syria’s president after politicians and economists warned that a mass return could hurt integration and labour supply.
- On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clarified his Monday pledge, stating the 80% Syrian repatriation figure was a wish from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa rather than an official German government target.
- Merz made the initial claim during a joint press conference on Monday, sparking immediate criticism from coalition partners who labeled the target unrealistic and warned it risked damaging integration efforts.
- With roughly one million Syrians in Germany, economists warned that a mass departure could exacerbate severe labor shortages, while the 80% figure implied repatriation of some 800,000 people.
- Later the same day, Sharaa contradicted the Chancellor, calling the statement "somewhat exaggerated" and insisting returns must be "voluntary and with dignity," conditional on Western investment in Syria.
- The incident underscores intense political volatility surrounding migration policy in Germany as support for the AfD surges amid ongoing integration discussions, despite the clarification easing immediate coalition pressure.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Statement against statement: The Federal Government renounces a denial of the word of the Syrian transitional president. Merz had objected to the fact that the target mark of 80 percent recovery came from him.
Friedrich Merz no longer wants to say that 80 percent of Syrians have to leave Germany. Instead, the Syrian president said this, but he denied it. On Wednesday, the government spokesman tried to limit damage.
Syrian Leader Contradicts Merz on Migrant Returns
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s claim that Syria supports large-scale returns of its nationals has been contradicted by the country’s interim president. The German chancellor stated in Berlin, alongside Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, that around 80% of the Syrians currently living in Germany should return to Syria within three years. It was the central figure in the CDU’s new narrative: migration toughness, Syrian reconstruction ,a…
According to the Federal Government, after the end of the Syrian civil war, a significant part of the refugees who have been admitted to Germany ... The post Sprache Merz by 80 per cent Syrian returnees? Government spokespersons want to participate in "no text genetics" appeared first on Apollo News.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to send back most Syrians in Germany. Especially for the labour market, this would have drastic consequences, warn economists. An analysis.
Germany emphasizes great unity with Syria in dealing with civil war refugees. And who has raised the 80 percent target for return? Does nothing to the point, the Federal Government says.
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