Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s claim that 80 percent of the Syrians living in Germany will return has drawn sharp criticism from within the governing coalition.
CDU foreign‑policy spokesman Roderich Kiesewetter told “Handelsblatt” that such a statement is problematic on multiple fronts. “It creates unrealistic expectations that right‑wing populists can later exploit” he said, urging caution and strategic foresight instead of hasty rhetoric.
Kiesewetter also questioned the proposal from an economic standpoint. Many Syrians occupy skilled positions in professions that suffer from labour shortages. “If they were to leave, we would face a real challenge” he explained. He added that Germany should focus on retaining well‑integrated Syrians. The comments were echoed by SPD member of the Bundestag Hakan Demir, who said, “The Chancellor just knocked it out”. Demir highlighted that a large number of Syrians are employed in Germany, especially in sectors such as health, logistics and gastronomy; a mass exodus would be disastrous for the German economy.
SPD foreign‑policy spokesman Ralf Stegner emphasized the volatile security situation in Syria – a condition that the Foreign Office describes as “volatile”. “Sometimes it is wiser to listen to the experts rather than rush headlong into a decision” he told “Handelsblatt”. He added that an 80‑percent return rate is unrealistic given the conditions in Syria and that the Chancellor should be aware of this.
