Vera Çelik breaks barriers as Zurich's first hijab-wearing city councillor
Vera Çelik made history in March 2024 as the first hijab-wearing woman elected to Zurich's city council. The 20-year-old dental assistant quickly became a notable figure, drawing both praise and controversy. Her election was widely celebrated in Turkish media, sparking a debate about representation and political influence.
Çelik's campaign focused on issues like discrimination, gender equality, and affordable housing. During her run, she met with Suat Şahin, president of the Turkish Community Switzerland—a group linked to Turkish President Erdoğan—to discuss low voter turnout among Swiss citizens with migrant backgrounds.
After her victory, Turkish state media highlighted her achievement, and the country's ambassador and consul general publicly congratulated her. This attention led to criticism from Moroccan-Swiss activist Kacem El Ghazzali, who accused Çelik of being a 'pawn' in Ankara's soft-power strategy. Çelik responded firmly, stating she had no ties to Turkish politics and rejected any attempt to instrumentalise her election. In a speech, she also expressed support for allowing female teachers in Switzerland to wear hijabs in the future. However, as of March 2026, she has not introduced any new political initiatives on the issue, maintaining her original campaign stance without further public statements.
Çelik remains Zurich's first hijab-wearing city councillor, focusing on her stated priorities of combating discrimination and promoting equality. While her election drew international attention, her political work so far has centred on local issues rather than broader debates about religious symbols in public institutions.
