The visit of Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al‑Sharaa, to Berlin has triggered strong reactions from Germany’s Kurdish community while economic experts warn of growing inflationary pressure across the country.

President al-Sharaa arrived in Germany for talks with officials from the German Federal Government, with discussions expected to focus on the future of Syrian refugees living in Germany and international support for Syria’s reconstruction after years of conflict.

However, the visit has sparked protests and criticism from Kurdish groups in Germany. Members of the Kurdish diaspora accuse al-Sharaa of involvement in serious human rights violations and alleged war crimes during the Syrian conflict. Kurdish activists have called on German authorities to hold him accountable and not legitimize his leadership without addressing these accusations.

Demonstrations were reported in several German cities, with protesters demanding justice for victims of the war in Syria and raising concerns about the treatment of Kurdish populations in Syrian territories.

At the same time, Germany is facing renewed economic worries. The Ifo Institute for Economic Research, based in Munich, reported that price pressures in the German economy are rising again. According to the institute’s latest analysis, companies increasingly expect to raise prices in the coming months, which could push inflation higher after a period of relative stabilization.