German Foreign Minister Sparks Controversy Over Remarks on Conditions in Syria
German Foreign Minister Johann Fadefull has sparked controversy within the ranks of the conservative Christian alliance following recent comments in which he compared conditions in Syria to those in Germany after World War II.
During a meeting of the alliance’s parliamentary bloc in the Bundestag on Tuesday, Fadefull reportedly said that “Syria looks worse than Germany did in 1945,” according to participants cited by the German Press Agency (DPA). The Foreign Ministry has not yet issued an official statement regarding the remarks.
Sources inside the meeting said several lawmakers expressed irritation over the minister’s comments, describing his appearance as “unfortunate” and “disastrous,” reflecting growing dissatisfaction with him within the bloc.
Last week, Fadefull faced criticism after visiting one of the destroyed areas on the outskirts of Damascus, where he questioned the likelihood of large numbers of Syrian refugees returning home voluntarily, saying that “it is almost impossible to live here with dignity.”
Some members of the alliance interpreted his remarks as a deviation from the party’s stance, which supports deporting convicted or security-risk Syrian nationals and promoting voluntary returns.
For his part, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), stated earlier that “the civil war in Syria is over,” stressing that there are no longer valid reasons for asylum in Germany and that deportations could begin.
In an attempt to contain the controversy, Fadefull clarified ahead of the parliamentary meeting that both the Foreign Ministry and he personally “actively support the goal of deporting criminals and individuals posing security threats to Syria and Afghanistan,” while also continuing efforts to encourage voluntary returns to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction.
During the meeting, the minister reiterated his commitment to the government’s policy, but his remarks reportedly received only limited applause, according to German media outlets.
