Syrian President Ahmed al‑Scharaa was received by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) on Monday. In the Chancellery a one‑to‑one meeting and a joint lunch are slated, after which the two plan to appear before the press in the afternoon.
Earlier that morning al‑Scharaa had been welcomed by President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier. He then moved on to a German‑Syrian economic roundtable called by the Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry for Development. There the German government and German businesses pledged support for reconstruction. “We stand by Syria” said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU). In the afternoon al‑Scharaa is scheduled to meet Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) to discuss deportations and voluntary return to Syria.
The state visit is guarded by tight security. Several demonstrations are planned – from both supporters of the Syrian regime and its critics. Large crowds gathered near the Chancellery, waving Syrian flags. Police are on a massive deployment to safeguard the visit.
Al‑Scharaa has been Syria’s interim president since the end of January 2025. Before that, as the leader of the Syrian militia coalition Hay’at Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS), he was instrumental in the overthrow of the Assad regime. While an HTS commander, he was a wanted terrorist charged with serious war crimes. Since taking office he portrays himself as a moderate leader seeking closer ties with the West, though the situation in Syria remains tense.