In a move that signals the most significant shift in German migration policy since 2015, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has announced a bold plan to see 80% of Syrians currently living in Germany return to their homeland within the next three years.
Speaking at a high-stakes press conference in Berlin alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 30th, Merz revealed the creation of a “joint task force with Damascus” to facilitate the mass repatriation.
The Chancellor argued that since the official end of the Syrian civil war in December 2024, the “fundamental” improvement of conditions on the ground necessitates a total reassessment of the asylum status of Syrians in Germany.
“Those who no longer have a right to residency will leave,” Merz declared, specifically targeting those who “abuse our hospitality.” However, the policy includes a strategic “brain drain” filter: while the majority are expected to leave, skilled professionals such as doctors and engineers are encouraged to remain.
With over 1.2 million Syrians currently residing in Germany, the ‘Merz doctrine’ marks a decisive end to the era of open-ended protection, sparking both praise for its pragmatism and intense debate within the German coalition.
