A major diplomatic and political debate has erupted following statements regarding the potential repatriation of Syrians currently residing in Germany. While Chancellor Friedrich Merz initially said 80 percent would return home, he is now backpedaling by saying that was not exactly his stated goal, but the figure that Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa presented him. However, al-Sharaa appears to be backing away from that figure as well.
The initial quote that set off the debate followed a meeting between Merz and al-Sharaa in Berlin, with Merz stating: “In the longer perspective of the next three years – this was President Sharaa’s wish – around 80 percent of Syrians currently in Germany should return to their homeland.“
Following pushback from labor experts and political opponents, Merz framed his statement differently on Tuesday. He emphasized that the widely discussed figure did not originate as a German government mandate but as a stated goal from Damascus.
“The Syrian president has mentioned the number of 80 percent of returnees within three years,” the CDU politician emphasized. “We have noted this number, but are aware of the dimension of the task.“
On Tuesday evening, during a visit to the United Kingdom, al-Sharaa, a former jihadist who rose to power after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in late 202, addressed the figures during a talk at the think tank Chatham House. When asked how such a massive repatriation would be possible, involving 80 percent of Germany’s 1.3 million Syrians, he said the figure was “exaggerated.”
“In truth, the statement is a bit exaggerated. I didn’t say that; it was attributed to me. It was the chancellor who said these words, and this happened during a conversation,” he said.
NEW – Syria’s President clarifies he didn’t say 80% of Syrians in Germany would return in 3 years, noting they have “new lives” now and it would be hard “to start their life from zero,” but if Western countries invest and start businesses in Syria, he would then “guarantee” 80%… pic.twitter.com/aUt5vTXHRF
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 1, 2026
He added that Syrians have “new lives” in Germany, and it would be hard “to start their life from zero.” However, with enough money from the West, he said that 80 percent of Syrians would return.
Al-Sharaa noted that any return of Syrians was only possible with a reconstruction of Syria. He said that investment was needed, and if German companies were involved, they could “prioritize returning, German-speaking Syrians for hiring,” at which point the 80 percent figure could become real.
“This charity should not end in an unpleasant way. The refugee has the right to return with freedom and his own will“, al-Sharaa stated.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is already lambasting Merz’s backpedaling on the issue.
“Less than 24 hours after his announcement to deport 80% of Syrians, Merz is already backpedaling – that was a figure that the Syrian strongman Al-Julani had mentioned. A real deportation offensive will only come with the AfD,” wrote Alice Weidel on X.
Keine 24 Stunden nach seiner Ankündigung, 80% der Syrer abzuschieben, rudert Merz schon wieder zurück – das sei eine Zahl gewesen, die der syrische Machthaber Al-Julani geäußert habe. Eine echte Abschiebeoffensive wird es nur mit der AfD geben.https://t.co/XeZh9e8cvd
— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) March 31, 2026
After Merz first cited the 80 percent figure, a number of left-wing parties, including the Left Party, accused Merz of fueling “the AfD’s mass deportation fantasies.”
The Chancellor’s Office minister, Thorsten Frei, emphasized that Syria’s leader did indeed mention the 80 percent figure.
“As far as I can see, he did it again in London,” Frei remarked on Wednesday.
The post Should 80% of Syrians really leave Germany and return to Syria? Merz and al-Sharaa both appear to backpedal appeared first on Remix News.
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