Overview
- At a Monday press conference in Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said roughly 80% of Syrians in Germany should return within three years and announced a joint work program on reconstruction and returns.
- Speaking in London on Tuesday, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa denied calling for the 80% figure, cast it as Merz’s goal, and promoted a circular migration plan that would let skilled Syrians work on rebuilding without leaving lives built in Germany.
- Backlash in Germany grew by Tuesday and Wednesday as Green lawmakers and hospital leaders called the target unrealistic and warned that losing thousands of Syrian doctors would strain care across the country.
- In London on Tuesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged closer work with Syria on deporting people with no right to stay, tightening border security, and disrupting smuggling, while humanitarian groups warned that large-scale returns could put people in danger.
- Germany and the UK highlighted investment and reconstruction as many sanctions on Syria have been lifted, yet Germany’s resumed deportations have reached only a few cases and each removal still faces individual legal review.