(de-news.net) – Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has faced sustained criticism from within his own party following recent statements made during his visit to Syria. In Harasta, near Damascus, Wadephul had expressed doubts about the feasibility of large-scale voluntary returns of Syrian refugees from Germany, citing extensive infrastructural devastation as a major impediment.
Senior Christian democrats, including Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader Günter Krings and Saxony-Anhalt’s CDU Chairman Sven Schulze, have publicly challenged Wadephul’s assessment. Krings reportedly argued that the Syrian civil war had ended and that most refugees could reasonably be expected to return. He dismissed the destruction of infrastructure as an inadequate justification for delaying repatriation, emphasizing the necessity of national reconstruction by Syrian citizens themselves. Schulze similarly contended that the cessation of hostilities removed the original grounds for asylum and called for a targeted strategy to facilitate swift returns.
Despite internal dissent, the Federal Chancellery has defended Wadephul’s position, suggesting that his remarks aligned with the broader governmental approach. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius described the controversy as a manufactured conflict, reiterating that stabilization and repatriation were interdependent goals. Wadephul had extended an invitation to Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al Scharaa to visit Berlin, signaling diplomatic engagement.
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) appeared to support Wadephul’s stance on deporting criminal offenders, asserting that such measures would proceed as legal conditions permitted. Linnemann described the situation as a “pseudo-conflict,” stating that the Interior Minister and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul shared the same view: deportations are to be carried out, and it was necessary to continue them in the case of criminal offenders. The Foreign Office confirmed that Wadephul had emphasized the necessity of deportations in exceptional cases involving serious crimes, while also acknowledging that voluntary return decisions depended on individual assessments of safety, economic prospects, and housing availability.
Wadephul’s remarks in Syria, particularly his observations of widespread destruction and concerns about dignified living conditions, have sparked a broader debate within the CDU regarding the timing and scope of refugee repatriation. While some party leaders advocate for immediate action, others urge caution, citing humanitarian and logistical constraints.
