Germany's Merz says 80 percent of Syrian immigrants should return home

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa agreed the vast majority of Syrian immigrants living in Germany should return to their homeland over the next three years. Al-Sharaa met Merz in Berlin – making his first presidential visit to Germany, which is home to the largest Syrian diaspora in Europe.

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa agreed the vast majority of Syrian immigrants living in Germany should return to their homeland over…
• Al-Sharaa met Merz in Berlin – making his first presidential visit to Germany, which is home to the largest Syrian diaspora in Europe.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• next three years. Al-Sharaa met Merz in Berlin – making his first presidential visit to Germany, which is home to the largest Syrian diaspora in Europe. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he and…
• Full context often emerges as officials, markets, or courts add updates.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa agreed the vast majority of Syrian immigrants living in Germany should return to their homeland over…
• Al-Sharaa met Merz in Berlin – making his first presidential visit to Germany, which is home to the largest Syrian diaspora in Europe.