The Chancellor’s comments about an 80‑percent return rate for Syrians living in Germany have drawn sharp criticism from coalition partners. CDU foreign policy spokesman Roderich Kiesewetter told “Handelsblatt” that such figures send a problematic signal in several ways. “It is politically disadvantageous to raise high expectations that right‑wing populist parties can later exploit” he said. “What is now needed is caution and strategic foresight”.
Kiesewetter also dismissed the Chancellor’s proposal on economic grounds. Many Syrians are employed in sectors that suffer from a shortage of skilled workers. “If they return, we face a challenge” he warned. Germany would do well to keep well‑integrated Syrians in the country. SPD member of the Bundestag Hakan Demir made a similar point. “The Chancellor has simply opened the floodgate” the interior politician told “Handelsblatt”. He noted that a large number of Syrians work in Germany, including in so‑called bottleneck occupations such as healthcare, logistics, and hospitality. “If they left, it would be fatal for the German economy”.
SPD foreign policy spokesperson Ralf Stegner emphasized the security situation in Syria, which the Foreign Office calls “volatile”. “Sometimes one should listen to experts rather than push hard against a wall” Stegner explained to “Handelsblatt”. He added that an 80‑percent return rate is, given conditions in Syria, “not of this world”. “The Chancellor could also be aware of that”.