Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has announced a suspension of all asylum applications from Syrians until further notice.
This decision comes in the wake of the Syrian government, led by Bashar al-Assad, being overthrown by jihadist organizations spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). On Monday, BAMF froze asylum applications from Syrians, citing the unpredictable political developments in Syria.
An official told SPIEGEL, “The situation in Syria is uncertain, making it extremely difficult to predict how political events will evolve.” The official emphasized the importance of making decisions that are “well-founded.”
According to BAMF, approximately 47,270 asylum applications from Syrians, including nearly 46,000 initial applications, remain pending. However, the freeze does not impact decisions that have already been made.
Syrian asylum seekers in German politics
The suspension has reignited political debate in Germany regarding the future of Syrian refugees. Politicians from the CDU/CSU have advocated for repatriation, while members of the Greens and the SPD urge caution due to Syria’s unstable situation.
Andrea Lindholz, the CSU’s leading interior affairs spokesperson, told the Rheinische Post on Sunday, “Once lasting peace is established in Syria, many Syrians will no longer require protection and, therefore, will have no right to stay in Germany.” Lindholz also called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to publicly state that Germany will not accept additional Syrian refugees, reinforcing the party’s earlier stance.
Jürgen Hardt, a CDU politician and foreign affairs expert, echoed similar sentiments: “It’s too early to determine where things are heading. However, we expect Syrian refugees in Germany to return home once conditions stabilize.”
SPD criticizes populist rhetoric ahead of elections
Meanwhile, the SPD has voiced concerns over populist rhetoric regarding Syrian refugees. Michael Roth, an SPD MP and chair of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, acknowledged that peace in Syria could provide an opportunity for some refugees to return. However, he highlighted that most Syrians are well-integrated into German society and the labor market.
Roth warned, “I caution against populist arguments such as ‘now everyone must go back immediately.'”
The SPD politician expressed fears that the AfD, BSW, and certain CDU/CSU factions could exploit the refugee issue during the upcoming election campaign. “This deeply worries me,” he added.
