Berlin – Germany’s coalition government is facing internal disagreements over the issue of Syrian refugees, according to a report published by the German newspaper Bild on Saturday.
The paper revealed tensions between the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Ministry concerning the deportation of Syrian refugees. The Interior Ministry insists on implementing the coalition agreement, which allows deportations to Syria starting with refugees convicted of serious crimes.
This stance, however, contradicts recent remarks by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who stated during his visit to Damascus earlier this week that the return of Syrian refugees is only possible in very limited cases. Wadephul reportedly saw first-hand the extent of destruction and the collapse of basic infrastructure during his visit to the Syrian capital.
A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry told Bild that Berlin is holding talks with Damascus to establish an agreement enabling deportations. The spokesperson added that the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has resumed reviewing asylum applications, particularly those from single Syrian men of working age.
Earlier this week, the website Info Migrants reported that Wadephul’s talks in Damascus focused on the situation of Syrian refugees in Germany and the possibility of their return. During meetings with Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and other officials, the German minister acknowledged that widespread returns are currently unrealistic due to ongoing instability and the country’s damaged infrastructure.
Read more: German Foreign Minister’s Talks in Damascus Focus on Syrian Refugees
He added that while it is in Syria’s interest to create conditions for the return of its citizens abroad, this remains possible only on a very limited scale. Wadephul also said Germany would take practical steps to enable its companies to operate in Syria, clarifying that deportations would apply only in “very few exceptional cases of truly serious criminals.”
