Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has publicly diverged from a fellow party member’s stance, advocating for the facilitation of voluntary returns of Syrian refugees to their homeland. this position contrasts with recent comments from CDU foreign policy expert Johann Wadephul, who cautioned against such returns given the ongoing instability in Syria.The debate within the CDU highlights a growing discussion about the future of Syrian refugees in Germany, where 951,406 individuals from Syria currently reside. Merz’s proposal centers on supporting stabilization efforts within syria to create conditions conducive to voluntary repatriation. This comes as Syria undergoes a period of political transition following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad by the Islamist militia HTS, led by al-Sharaa, nearly a year ago. Al-Sharaa was subsequently appointed interim president and is reportedly pursuing a policy of openness and improved relations with Western nations, with plans for a visit to Washington next week, according to Syrian state media.
Merz stated the federal government should actively work to stabilize Syria to enable voluntary returns. The CDU’s internal disagreement underscores differing views within the party regarding the feasibility and ethical considerations of repatriation efforts, particularly considering the ongoing political and security situation in Syria.(AFP/dpa)
