A pilot program to return refugees to Greece is mentioned in an exclusive article in Spiegel. The article reads: “The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) wants a cooperation plan to promote the return of refugees already recognized in Greece. This emerges from an internal document of the authority, which was made available to Spiegel. According to the document, migrants returning to Greece will be supported by the Greek authorities under the so-called bridging program. For example, they will receive assistance regarding accommodation and food after their return. Social counseling will also be provided. Breaking a taboo in the federal parliament, Friedrich Merz wanted to gain credibility in the immigration debate… Later, the migrants will participate in a new Greek integration program that will help them learn the language and find jobs. A similar integration program in Greece ended in the fall.

A repatriation the program from Germany, which began in January, is initially voluntary. In the long term, “forced” repatriations are being sought, according to Bamf. According to the document, Germany’s target group is single and able-bodied people aged 19 to 49, who were told no more than two years ago in Greece that they needed protection.