German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has sparked controversy within his own political party following remarks made about the conditions in Syria. During a meeting with members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), on September 26, 2023, Wadephul compared Syria’s current state to Germany’s devastation in 1945. Several participants confirmed the statement to the German news agency dpa.
The Foreign Office has not commented on these remarks, which have reportedly caused significant irritation among lawmakers. One member of the CDU described Wadephul’s address as “terrible” and “disastrous,” indicating that support for the minister is waning. This latest incident follows previous comments made by Wadephul during a visit to war-torn Syria, where he questioned the likelihood of Syrian refugees in Germany returning home in the near future due to extensive destruction.
In the suburb of Harasta, Wadephul remarked, “It is barely possible for people to live here with dignity,” emphasizing the challenges that would prevent refugees from returning soon. His comments contradicted the CDU’s official stance, which advocates for the swift deportation of Syrian criminal offenders and encourages voluntary returns of Syrian refugees.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz later sought to clarify the party’s position, asserting, “The civil war in Syria is over. There are no longer any grounds for asylum in Germany and therefore we can begin repatriations.” This clarification aimed to align Wadephul’s comments with the CDU’s broader strategy regarding refugee returns.
Frustration among party members grew as Wadephul took time to clarify his position, only doing so shortly before the parliamentary group meeting. He reiterated that both the Foreign Office and he were actively supporting the repatriation of criminal offenders and dangerous individuals to Syria and Afghanistan. Wadephul stated, “There is absolutely no difference on this,” aiming to align his statements with the party’s goals.
Despite his efforts to clarify, Wadephul’s remarks received only limited applause during the meeting, indicating a lack of consensus. His comparison to 1945 was reportedly made at the end of his speech, leading to no immediate responses from other lawmakers. As tensions rise within the CDU, the future of Wadephul’s position seems increasingly uncertain.
