(de-news.net) – Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has expressed his reservations regarding the tenor of the domestic discourse that has emerged in response to recent remarks made by Foreign Minister Wadephul concerning the potential repatriation of Syrian refugees. These comments were delivered during the German President’s official visit to Ghana. According to various media outlets, President Steinmeier underscored the importance of measured and empathetic public dialogue, particularly when an individual is confronted with the harrowing consequences of armed conflict and voices emotional distress. In such instances, he argued, it is appropriate to allow a moment of pause and understanding. Furthermore, he reiterated that it is the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government to assess and determine the broader political implications of such sentiments and policy positions.
In a subsequent statement delivered in Berlin, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) clarified that there exists no discord between himself and Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the matter of repatriating Syrian nationals. He emphasized that the Federal Government remains committed to facilitating the return of refugees to their countries of origin, including Syria, as part of a broader strategy to manage migration. Wadephul confirmed that these efforts are being pursued in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of the Interior, which is leading the initiative. Although no repatriations to Syria have yet been executed, Wadephul affirmed that the government continues to work diligently toward this objective. He also stressed that there are no internal divisions within the administration on this issue and reiterated the government’s intention to promote voluntary repatriation for Syrians — a policy direction that, according to the Foreign Minister, has recently received the explicit endorsement of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The controversy originated from Wadephul’s earlier remarks made during a visit to Syria, where he was reportedly deeply affected by the scale of destruction he witnessed. At that time, he refrained from advocating for the immediate return of Syrian refugees, a position that sparked debate within the ranks of the CDU. In contrast, Chancellor Merz has taken an assertive stance, calling for the swift resumption of deportations to Syria. During a public appearance in the town of Husum, Merz argued that the Syrian civil war had effectively concluded and that, in his view, there was no longer a compelling justification for Syrians to continue seeking asylum in Germany. He further disclosed that he had extended an official invitation to Ahmed al-Scharaa, the interim president of Syria, to visit Germany for discussions aimed at exploring potential avenues for bilateral cooperation on repatriation and related matters.
In light of Chancellor Merz’s remarks, Wadephul reiterated his alignment with the Chancellor’s position and reaffirmed his commitment to the federal government’s unified objective of increasing repatriation efforts, with particular emphasis on the return of Syrian nationals.
