Lars Klingbeil, leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), has criticized those calling for Syrian refugees to return to their homeland, where the regime of Bashar al-Assad has recently been overthrown.
Klingbeil stated that while he supports the deportation of criminals to countries like Afghanistan and Syria, he emphasized that “anyone who has committed a criminal offense loses the right to stay in Germany.” However, he pointed out that “the vast majority of people who seek refuge with us are not involved in criminal activities.”
Regarding Syrians living in Germany since the fall of Assad’s regime, Klingbeil advised closely monitoring the situation in Syria. He criticized what he called “shameful” that the first question some CDU politicians ask after the fall of the brutal dictator is “when will the Syrians finally leave Germany?”
He acknowledged that some refugees want to return and help rebuild their country, and they should be supported. At the same time, he emphasized that “many others have become part of our society and are helping Germany remain a strong country.”
Klingbeil concluded by saying, “It would be unthinkable if, tomorrow, they left our medical offices and hospitals.”
