Many people who come to Germany will vote for the first time. This is what they hoped

BERLIN (AP) – More than half a million new citizens will have the opportunity to vote in the German national election this weekend.

Almost one-third of the new Germans were originally from Syria. Most of them have left their homeland in the past decade, fleeing war, political unrest and economic hardship. In 2015-2016 alone, more than one million immigrants came to Germany, most from Syria, as well as Afghanistan and Iraq.

Since the last national election in 2021, the number of naturalized people in Germany has risen sharply: more than 500,000 people have naturalized between 2021 and 2023, according to the country's Federal Statistics Office.

Although the 2024 figures have not been obtained, experts estimate that more than 250,000 people in Germany were naturalized last year.

Many new citizens who will vote for the first time in Germany on Sunday expressed excitement, hope for change and a sense of empowerment for their right to vote. Some are concerned about the far-right, anti-immigration alternatives being the rise of German or AFD parties.

For new Germans originally from Syria, the election has additional meaning. Many of them fled their country because the civil war was the suppression of protests by former President Bashar Assad for greater democracy and freedom. He was overthrown in November, but it is unclear whether Syria will now become a democracy. Meanwhile, they are able to vote in multi-party elections in their new home.

Here are the views of five new immigrants on the German vote:

Logeen Faour Shahna, 24, wants to give other immigrants a voice

Faour Shahna, originally from Idlib in Syria, arrived in 2015 and is now studying mathematics at the Technical University of Berlin. She said her new German passport gave her a sense of security because she is no longer afraid of being deported. She wanted to vote on Sunday, “because every vote matters.”

“It may be that others still see me as a foreigner, but I also want to convey the voice of foreigners (and show) not everyone is the same. You should not see us as foreigners, but humans, you should see What we will do for the German country in the future.

“I obviously oppose the AFD. …I think there are many other people who oppose the AFD, whether they are foreigners or Germans. I don't think they will rule Germany. Otherwise we'll go back to the 1930s.”

Syamend Al Othman, 31, hopes the next government can boost the economy

Syrian Kurdish (Al Othman) came to Germany in 2014. He currently works in online marketing but dreams of opening his own coffee venue in Berlin. He said he and his wife, like other Germans, work, pay taxes, commit no crimes and visit family members on weekends. He hopes the next government can ensure that “Germany's economy will be better again”.

“This is my first national election since I became a German. Of course, for me, my wife and I have an impact on the German election and we also decide who manages us.

“The other day, I talked to my father (in Syria). My father never voted. That's why we think it's important. We can vote, we have democracy in Germany. Real democracy in Syria, there are no elections yet. , because Assad has only disappeared for a few weeks, it still takes time for us to gain democracy in Syria.”

Ketevan Asatiani-Hermann, 35, said voting is more important than ever because democracy is threatened

Asatiani-Hermann came to Germany from Georgia in the Caucasus region in 2011 and naturalized in October. She married a German and lived in Magdeburg, where she worked as a social worker to help immigrant youth integrate into society. She expressed concern that discrimination against immigrants could grow further after the fatal attack on Saudi doctors in the Christmas market in Magdeburg, which killed six people and injured more than 200 people.

“I never felt democracy was so threatened. It was a good time for me, maybe to make sure people vote for democracy and hatred and racism were not promoted. … This also gives I feel a sense of affirmation, I can say one thing…I am glad I have a chance this year.

“I really hope that the next government will ensure that our society has more cohesion again. It's no longer them and us, and people who are different for any reason will not be excluded.”

Sedra Hanina, 23, hopes Germany offers more security, especially for women wearing hijabs

Hanina was from Damascus in 2016 when she was 15 years old. She is married, has a daughter, and studies chemistry in Berlin. The young woman hopes the next government can provide more security, especially for women wearing hijabs, who often feel treated. But the most important thing is that she is happy to vote for the first time in her life.

“You have to figure out which parties, what strengths, what weaknesses, what goals are for each side, and that’s a huge challenge. Actually, I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens after the election and which party wins.

“I want to focus more on social justice, integration and freedom of the people… no matter where you come from, look and how you behave, everyone is treated the same as everyone else. The main thing is that everyone is treated equally. .”

Hassan Salameh, 40, said German passport, voting rights are a reward for his efforts to integrate into

The pharmacist and the father of two children were originally from Aleppo. He has been studying German since he arrived in Germany in 2014 until he was fluent, working to recognise his bachelor's degree in pharmacy, found a job and waited for more than three years until he applied for a German citizenship application.

“I think German passports are rewarded after such a long effort, difficulties, hope and pressure – we have put in a lot of effort to ensure that we are a small family in the future.

“For me, the moment when I first went to vote was very, very special. …For us and society, making the right decision this time is a responsibility to ensure our future, security and well-being, and Germany continues to be Leading in Europe.”