Testimony From his crossing of the Mediterranean to his election in the first round, the extraordinary journey of a Syrian refugee who became mayor in Germany

Eight years have passed, but the memories of his journey on the Balkan route are still very present in the mind of Ryyan Alshebl. This Syrian refugee took office Monday, June 19, it is became mayor in March of Ostelsheim, a town in the south-west of the country, a first in Germany.

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“We were 49 people on the inflatable boat”, remembers the 29-year-old, who crossed the Mediterranean after twelve days of exodus in 2015. He then fled to escape military service, like millions of other of his compatriots. “There was no light, it was cold. The environment changed in a matter of hours, with of course the fear that accompanies this type of travel.” His journey ends in southern Germany. Ryyan Alshebl is accommodated in a reception centre.

55% of the votes in the first round

The municipality of 2,700 inhabitants, near Stuttgart, offered him an internship as an administrative employee and the young refugee learned German. “When you’re in the countryside, you really have no choice but to speak German, explains Ryyan Alshebl. But I wanted to learn German. I think it’s a beautiful language.” Over the years, he discovered local issues. Passionate about reading, hiking, but above all politics, he embarked on the municipal campaign.