Voters in Germany demonstrate the impact when discourse against migration is forbidden
In the heart of Germany, the city of Cologne is preparing for a significant event on Monday, 28 September. The city will witness a run-off vote between two candidates: Aymaz and the second-place SPD candidate. If Aymaz emerges victorious, they will make history as Cologne's first mayor of migrant heritage.
One of the candidates, Jasna Ibrić, is a council candidate for the centre-left pro-Europe party Volt. Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ibrić came to Germany as a refugee during the civil war in Yugoslavia in the 90s. Her candidacy is particularly significant as she is a Muslim woman, and she has expressed that the agreement is important to her, as she feels that Muslims are often scapegoated for wider issues in German society.
The Fairness Agreement, signed by parties CDU, SPD, FDP, Greens, Die Partei, Die Linke, and Volt in Cologne in 1998, commits them not to campaign against migrants. The AfD, a far-right political party, was excluded from this agreement. However, it's worth noting that the terms of the agreement do not extend to social media, according to Ibrić.
Ibrić has been open about her Muslim faith on her social media platforms and has encountered AfD supporters posting images of their leader Alice Weidel or the blue heart emoji, a symbol adopted by the party's voters online, on her profile. Despite this, Ibrić has found solace in knowing that the majority of her opponents had signed the Fairness Agreement.
Claudia Walther, co-chair of the Cologne SPD, has stated that many voters were unaware of the immigration agreement until media furore. The significance of this agreement and the diverse candidates running for office in Cologne highlight the city's commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse society.
Aymaz, if elected, has promised to "give everything for a strong, global metropolis that leaves no one behind." This sentiment resonates with the city's progressive values and underscores the importance of representation and inclusion in political leadership.
As Cologne prepares for the run-off vote, the city stands on the precipice of change. Regardless of the outcome, the election serves as a testament to the city's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and to the power of representation in political leadership.
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