(de-news.net) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has formally expressed his support for the deportation of Syrian refugees from Germany, marking a significant policy stance that diverges from the position held by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Merz asserted that the Syrian civil war had concluded, thereby nullifying the legal and humanitarian grounds for continued asylum for Syrian nationals in Germany.

While acknowledging that many refugees may voluntarily choose to return to Syria to contribute to the country’s reconstruction, Merz emphasized that those who decline to repatriate could be subject to deportation. He underscored the necessity of enforcing return policies where voluntary compliance is absent.

In a gesture of diplomatic outreach, Merz announced that he had extended an invitation to Syria’s interim president, Farouk al-Sharaa, to visit Germany for bilateral discussions. The objective of these talks, he explained, would be to establish a structured framework for repatriation, facilitating coordinated efforts between the German and Syrian governments to manage the return of displaced persons.

Merz’s position aligns with earlier statements made by senior figures within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU). Among them is Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), who has previously defended deportations to Syria, citing relevant clauses in the coalition agreement as legal justification for such measures.

The current debate was reignited following Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s recent visit to Syria. Upon witnessing the extensive devastation, Wadephul concluded that the country lacked the infrastructure and living conditions necessary to support a dignified existence. Consequently, he voiced strong reservations about the immediate return of refugees, advocating for a more cautious and humanitarian approach.