During a visit to the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Merz announced that he had formally invited President Shara. He said the talks would aim to “contribute to Syria’s stability and address the return of Syrians currently living in Germany.”

“We Will Continue Deporting Criminals”

Merz also addressed the controversial issue of deportations to Syria, which has sparked heated debate in Germany in recent weeks. “Of course, we will continue deporting criminals to Syria. That’s the plan. We will now implement it concretely. The Interior Minister is already working on it,” he said.

“No More Right to Asylum”

Declaring that the civil war in Syria is over, Merz stated, “There is no longer a right to asylum in Germany, and therefore, we can begin deportations.” He added that he believes most Syrians in Germany will voluntarily return to their country to participate in reconstruction efforts.
“Rebuilding is impossible without these people. Those who refuse to return will, of course, face deportation in the near future,” Merz warned.

Debate Grows in Germany

Merz’s remarks have reignited the long-standing debate in Germany over whether Syria can now be considered a “safe” country. Opposition parties argue that inviting Shara would grant him political legitimacy, while government sources say dialogue is necessary to “facilitate the return of refugees.”