Austrian migration expert Gerald Knaus has strongly criticized the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) for its plans to repatriate large numbers of Syrian refugees.
Knaus, founder and chairman of the European Stability Initiative (ESI), told Deutschlandfunk that conditions in Syria remain extremely difficult despite the end of the civil war. He noted that millions of Syrians still live in severe poverty and that many remain internally displaced.
He warned that CSU politicians should not make promises that cannot be fulfilled, especially ahead of key elections. He also emphasized that Syrian refugees in Germany have the legal right to challenge any deportation decisions.
The CSU presented its ideas in a policy paper aimed at tightening migration rules, including the creation of exit centers. However, even within the governing coalition, these proposals faced criticism, notably from the SPD.
Sources – Agencies
