German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sparked heated debate within his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), after voicing doubts about returning Syrian nationals to Syria during his visit to Harasta (Rural Damascus province on the outskirts of Damascus, southern Syria) on October 30.

After surveying the destruction in the area, Wadephul said he had never personally witnessed such extensive devastation and that “it is difficult for people to live here with dignity.”

Wadephul added during the visit that “it is only very limitedly possible at present to return Syrians to their homeland, because much of the country’s infrastructure has been destroyed,” pointing to the scale of damage caused by the war since 2011.

His remarks drew sharp criticism from several party figures, including Günter Krings, deputy leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary bloc, who called for deporting all Syrians required to leave the country. Krings described Wadephul’s argument that Syria was destroyed by war as “entirely inappropriate,” adding, “Who will rebuild the devastated country if not its own citizens?”

Martin Huber, secretary general of the Christian Social Union (CSU), told Bild that the war in Syria is over, which he said is a reason for optimism, and noted that Germany had hosted and protected millions of Syrians during the years of conflict.

Huber said people who no longer need asylum should return to their country, explaining that the current phase requires working to stabilize Syria and rehabilitate infrastructure, including housing and basic services.

He stressed that Syrians themselves are best placed to rebuild their country and that those without grounds for asylum should go back home.

Huber underlined that criminals and people whose residency has expired must be deported to Syria, adding that the German government is working hard to implement this.

He pointed out that this goal is set out in the governing coalition agreement, which stipulates carrying out deportations of criminals and threats to public security to Syria, and he called for a “return strategy for Syrians” now that the war has ended.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt reiterated his intention to deport refugees to Syria. A ministry spokesperson, speaking anonymously to the RND media network, said, “The federal government agreed in the coalition treaty to implement deportations to Syria, starting with criminals.”

The spokesperson added that “the Federal Interior Ministry is currently working on an agreement with Syria to facilitate deportations.”

Dobrindt had previously announced the government’s intention to review asylum applications submitted by Syrians in preparation for deporting those whose claims were rejected, with priority given to re-examining rejected applications filed by employable young Syrian men, according to Bild on October 12.

He added that authorities will revoke asylum from Syrians who returned to their country after receiving protection in Germany, considering such returns evidence that “the reasons for asylum have ceased.”