• Germany aims for 80% of Syrian refugees to return home in three years.
• Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discusses reconstruction efforts post-war.
• Protests arise against refugee return due to human rights concerns in Syria.

During a meeting in Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced plans for **80% of Syrian refugees in Germany to return to their homeland within the next three years**. The two leaders expressed that the reconstruction of Syria post-civil war requires these individuals to contribute to rebuilding efforts. Merz emphasized that “the majority of Syrians in Germany who found refuge here want to go back to their homeland” and “live safely, freely, and with dignity,” according to aa and BBC.

Prior to their discussions, al-Sharaa was welcomed by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, focusing on **the need for political stability and economic growth in Syria** for the return plan to succeed. Al-Sharaa stated, “We want to put this difficult time behind us and now catch up with the rest of the world,” highlighting potential investments in Syria’s energy and tourism sectors as means to rebuild. The German government reiterated its commitment to support these efforts, according to Al Jazeera and aa.

Despite the optimistic rhetoric, **protests have emerged in Berlin** against the idea of forcibly returning refugees to a still-unstable Syria. Many argue that conditions remain unsafe for returning, pointing to ongoing human rights abuses and a lack of infrastructure. Activist groups have called on Merz to secure commitments for the protection of minorities in Syria. Al-Sharaa’s government faces scrutiny over its human rights record, with concerns about the safety of returning Syrians, according to BBC.

The return policy appears to be a response to increasing political pressure within Germany, where support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has surged due to concerns over immigration. Merz indicated that his government would focus initially on those without valid residence rights, especially criminal offenders, before addressing the broader group of refugees, according to aa and BBC.