Germany’s hardline on Syrian deportations gives Cyprus green light for returns

In a landmark ruling, Germany’s Supreme Administrative Court in Munster has determined that some areas of Syria can now be considered "safe," despite the ongoing civil war. According to Pavlos Xanthoulli's article published in Kathimerini Cyprus in Greek, this decision overturns the country’s previous stance and aligns with Nicosia’s approach to the refugee and migrant crisis.

The court rejected the subsidiary protection claim of a Syrian man from Hasakah, stating that the region no longer poses a serious threat to life or physical integrity. This ruling is expected to influence future deportations and returns, a prospect welcomed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has advocated for stricter deportation policies.

Scholz seized on the ruling to reinforce his government’s hardline stance on refugees, especially in the lead-up to Germany’s 2025 federal elections, where immigration is a hot-button issue. "This ruling confirms our position on deportations," Scholz stated, referencing not only Syria but other conflict zones like Afghanistan.

Nicosia has long argued for the designation of certain Syrian regions as "safe" to facilitate the return of refugees from Cyprus. The court’s decision aligns with these goals, creating optimism in Cyprus that the European Union may follow suit.

The ruling represents a significant shift in Germany’s policy. Previously, Berlin had opposed the idea of designating only parts of a country as "safe," arguing in the European Court of Justice that such an approach was not permissible. However, the Munster court's decision now suggests otherwise.

Political reactions in Germany have been varied but largely supportive of the tougher stance. Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democrats, called for "mass deportations" to Syria and Afghanistan, while the co-ruling Liberal Party echoed support for returns, claiming Syrians "no longer face a general, serious threat."

Germany currently hosts over 900,000 Syrian refugees, a number that has become central to national debates ahead of both local and federal elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has capitalized on these concerns, demanding harsher measures on immigration.

This shift in Germany's policy, driven by both legal and political changes, is likely to have wide-ranging implications for refugee policies across Europe, especially in countries like Cyprus that have long advocated for more stringent return measures.