The commonly heard German colloquialism, “Wir schaffen das”—meaning “We can manage this”—has taken on significant symbolic meaning in recent years, as it is closely associated with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership during the 2015 European migrant crisis. Frequently invoked by Merkel during this tumultuous period, the phrase embodied her administration’s optimism and resolve in addressing the challenges posed by the large influx of refugees, most of them from war-torn Syria. It conveyed the expectation that German society, as a whole, would embrace a spirit of resilience and openness during a time of humanitarian crisis, showcasing to the world its modern Willkommenskultur—a culture of welcoming and inclusion.
To critics, however, the phrase was perceived as dismissive of concerns regarding the implications of admitting what ultimately amounted to over 1 million refugees into the country. Regardless of one’s perspective on the management of that influx since 2015, a new set of realities has emerged, shaping the foundation for the next phase in addressing one of the most consequential decisions in recent German history.
On Dec. 8, 2024, Syrian rebel groups overthrew the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, leading to the fall of Damascus and Assad’s flight to Russia, where he was granted asylum. The evolving political realities in Syria now raise a critical question for both Syrian refugees residing in Germany and German political leaders: What steps should be taken next? Moreover, how will the ongoing debates on immigration, particularly in the context of upcoming national elections, influence German policymakers’ approach to the almost 1 million Syrians currently in the country, the majority of whom sought refuge from the now-overthrown Assad regime and now enjoy protected status?