Germany: a Syrian elected mayor of a municipality, eight years after having fled his country

Just after his election as mayor of the municipality of Ostelsheim (Germany) in April, by an absolute majority in the first round, Ryyan Alshebl’s first instinct was to call his mother, still in Syria. He fled the war in 2015, crossed the Mediterranean on an inflatable boat, before arriving in this village of 2,500 inhabitants, of which he has therefore just been elected mayor. This is a first in Germany.

“It’s proof of openness to the world”

“It shows that society is ready, not only to welcome people, but also to entrust them with political responsibilities. It is a proof of openness to the world”said Ryyan Alshebl. At 29, he therefore prefers to forget the rare racist remarks he has, he says, been the subject of during the campaign. In this region of the Black Forest, traditionally conservative, many voters admire his career. Since arriving eight years ago, Ryyan Alshebl has quickly learned German and trained as an administrative officer.