Seen from Berlin
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In 2015, the country opened its borders to nearly a million refugees. Well integrated, many do not wish to return to Syria. As the elections approach, the right is campaigning on the theme of their rapid return.
Return to the country? NOW ? For Ahmad, this is out of the question. The cook at the Aldimashqi restaurant, located near the main commercial artery of Neukölln, an emblematic district of Berlin known for its large Muslim community, is determined to stay despite the fall, on December 8, of the Bashar al-Assad regime. “I will not go back to Syria”he blurted. With hands full of flour, he explains with grand gestures that his life is here, in the German capital, where he has lived for almost ten years. “I have a job, two children aged 8 and 11 who are at school. The youngest was born in Berlin. We all have German nationalityhe said before concluding. Thank you, Mama Merkel!”
Almost ten years ago, in 2015, the first Syrians fleeing the civil war were welcomed with open arms by the Germans – there are almost a million today. Angela Merkel had left the borders open to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe. “We will get there”she declared to her constituents to ensure that the integration of refugees was possible. An express
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