GERMANY | Historical Deal - Syrians Return Home

Berlin, March 31, 2026 – Chancellor Merz boldly declared that around 80% of the roughly 700,000–800,000 Syrians in Germany should head home within the next three years.

"The civil war is over," he said, "and they have an important role to play in rebuilding their country."

Al-Sharaa thanked Germany for its past "hospitality," and suggested that many in the Syrian community are already packing their suitcases, eager to contribute to the “bread and butter” of rebuilding their nation. Armed with skills gained in Europe, they will restore infrastructure, revive the economy, and bring daily life back to post-Assad Syria.

Everyone clapped. Photos were taken. Rejoice!

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First problem: Nobody wants to pay for this.

Voluntary returns already come with German-funded incentives – flights, a few thousand euros in "start-up assistance" per family, medical support, the works.

Scaling that up to hundreds of thousands of people? No pocket change.

We're talking enormous logistical costs, bureaucratic nightmares, and billions in taxpayer money just to gently nudge people onto planes.

Forced returns would be even pricier: legal battles, detention centers, civil unrest.

Second problem: The Syrians aren't exactly packing their suitcases.

Many have built lives there – apartments they don't want to trade for rubble and uncertainty back home. Syria may no longer be in full civil war mode, the economy is in ruins, and the new leadership has a colorful résumé. Why swap social benefits and free healthcare for a one-way ticket to reconstruction duty?

Third (and biggest) problem: Merz just shook hands with a former al-Qaeda terrorist leader.

I didn't manage for this to be funny, sry. Have a meme.