Overview
- After visiting a devastated Damascus suburb, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said large-scale returns are not feasible soon, though he backs deporting serious criminals.
- The Interior Ministry under Alexander Dobrindt says it is negotiating with Syria to enable removals in line with the coalition pledge to restart returns.
- Senior CDU figures including Günter Krings and Sven Schulze reject Wadephul’s assessment, arguing a return is broadly reasonable now that the war has ended.
- CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann and the chancellery label the dispute a “sham conflict,” stressing that expulsions of offenders remain the government’s position.
- The ministry has barred exploratory trips to Syria for refugees to avoid protection-status loss, while left parties and Pro Asyl caution against deportations and deals with the interim authorities.