Syria’s interim President Ahmed al‑Sharaa has arrived in Berlin for talks expected to focus on the return of refugees and reconstruction after years of war, drawing protests and sharp criticism. Al‑Sharaa was received by German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier and is due to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz and attend a roundtable with business leaders.
Al‑Sharaa, 43, rose to power after the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS) overthrew longtime ruler Bashar al‑Assad in late 2024, ending nearly 14 years of civil war. Since then his government has sought closer ties with Western countries; he has met leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump. His visit to Germany — postponed from January because of renewed violence in Syria — is the first of its kind and has prompted demonstrations, with authorities expecting around 5,000 participants.
Critics inside Germany have condemned the meeting. Left Party lawmaker Cansu Özdemir called Chancellor Merz’s planned meeting with al‑Sharaa a “moral bankruptcy,” accusing the government of normalizing Islamist figures linked to violence against minorities. Germany’s Kurdish community has accused al‑Sharaa of human rights abuses and war crimes; its chairman, Ali Ertan Toprak, said al‑Sharaa belongs in court rather than the chancellery.
Center‑left Social Democrat Hakan Demir voiced concerns about al‑Sharaa’s record while stressing the need for dialogue. Demir described al‑Sharaa as “an Islamist” who has not distanced himself from his past, noting that the US placed a $10 million bounty on him about two years ago, and adding that “a suit does not make a democrat.” At the same time, Demir said Germany cannot limit talks only to states already deemed democratic and argued the quality of engagement matters. He urged that reconstruction discussions must prioritize the well‑being of Syrians and explicitly protect minority rights.
Demir warned that Christians face threats in Syria, cited massacres of Alawites, and said Druze and Kurds are also in danger. He insisted Germany should make clear that any support for reconstruction and development aid must be tied to human rights and minority protections.
A German government spokesman said the country’s interest is in seeing Syria rebuilt as a stable, prosperous state, including with the participation of Syrians who sought refuge in Germany and Europe during the civil war. Security measures accompanied al‑Sharaa’s visit, with police convoys and heightened preparations ahead of protests and official meetings.