"The coalition government of center-right Christian Democrats and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and center-left Social Democrats (SPD), which has been in office since May 2025, is aiming to significantly increase the number of people who have been ordered to leave the country in the campaign they are calling a "repatriation offensive." However, the political and media debate has tended to focus on a different word: deportations. The dispute over deportations to Syria, a country devastated by a long civil war, shows just how difficult this undertaking is and just how divergent opinions are, even among the government's two conservative Christian parties."
"German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) recently visited Syria and subsequently expressed caution: "Only possible to a very limited extent at this point in time," was his assessment of the possibility of forced deportations. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken out, contradicting his foreign minister: "The civil war in Syria is over. There are now no longer any grounds for asylum in Germany, which means we can also begin repatriations," Merz said on Monday in a press conference. Adding "Those who then refuse to return to the country can, of course, be deported in the future." The interior minister is negotiating with Syrian authorities Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has emphasized that he wants to push ahead with deportations as a matter of principle. Germany has not deported any individuals to Syria for 12 years, due to the country's civil war."
"The procedure "is governed by national residency and procedural law, national constitutional law, European directives and regulations and obligations under international law," the report states."
The CDU/CSU–SPD coalition in office since May 2025 aims to significantly increase the number of people ordered to leave Germany through a campaign called a "repatriation offensive." Public and political debate has emphasized deportations, especially concerning Syria. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed caution about forced returns after visiting Syria, calling them possible only to a very limited extent. Chancellor Friedrich Merz contends the Syrian civil war is over and argues repatriations can begin, adding that refusals could lead to deportation. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt seeks to press ahead with deportations, but legal and procedural frameworks create practical obstacles. Procedures are governed by national residency and procedural law, constitutional law, European directives and regulations, and international law obligations.
Read at www.dw.com
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