Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser have weighed in on the contentious debate over whether the one million Syrians living in Germany should return to their homeland following the ousting of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Scholz expressed cautious optimism during an ARD interview, emphasizing the need to seize this moment to establish democracy in Syria, foster coexistence among diverse religious groups, and create a legally secure way of life. While he didn’t elaborate on concrete plans, Scholz speculated that if Syria’s reconstruction succeeds, many Syrians might voluntarily return to contribute. However, he dismissed calls for mass deportation from the AfD and some conservative politicians, citing Syria’s continued instability as a major concern.
On the diplomatic front, Scholz discussed the new developments in Syria with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Both leaders agreed that the fall of Assad’s regime was a positive step, according to government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.
Meanwhile, Faeser opposed a blanket return of Syrian refugees, highlighting their contributions to German society. Speaking to ZDF, she said, “There are many Syrians in Germany who work and are well integrated. Why shouldn’t they stay with us?” Faeser pointed to Germany’s labor shortages and suggested that retaining skilled and integrated Syrians could help address this issue.
However, the economic burden remains a contentious point. Currently, 517,839 Syrians in Germany receive citizen benefits, costing taxpayers €3.5 billion annually. In 2023, an additional 80,730 Syrians received asylum-related financial support, with 75,000 more arriving since then.
The debate has also drawn attention from Green Party politicians, including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, adding further layers to this ongoing discussion about integration, economic impact, and Syria’s future.
