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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Kate Connolly in Berlin

Friedrich Merz says Syrians no longer have reason for asylum in Germany

Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz said he expected many of the 1.3 million Syrians living in Germany would return voluntarily to help rebuild their country. Photograph: Britta Pedersen/AP

Syrians no longer have reason to be granted asylum in Germany after the end of their country’s civil war, according to Friedrich Merz, who said they will instead be encouraged to return to help with the reconstruction of their homeland.

During Syria’s 14-year civil war, Germany took in more refugees than any other country in the EU, but the chancellor and others in his coalition cabinet argue that the situation has changed since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government 11 months ago.

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