Ryyan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Germany in 2015, has achieved a remarkable victory by winning a mayoral election in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Alshebl, who ran as an independent candidate in the municipality of Ostelsheim, secured an impressive 55.41% of the votes, defeating two German candidates. This historic win makes Alshebl the first man of Syrian descent to hold a mayor’s office in the state.
The news of his victory was met with excitement from locals, who praised Alshebl’s success as a testament to open-mindedness and cosmopolitanism. Alshebl himself described the win as “sensational.” His mother, who still resides in Syria, was overjoyed upon hearing the news.
While Alshebl’s victory signals progress and diversity in Baden-Württemberg, it is important to note that he faced opposition during his campaign. The Syrian candidate received hateful comments from far-right fringe voters who refused to accept him due to his Syrian roots. However, Alshebl remained dedicated to his cause, going door-to-door to promote his election program.
Alshebl’s journey to this point has been filled with challenges and uncertainty. Born in Syria, he lived a carefree life until the eruption of protests against the Syrian government in 2011, which eventually led to a devastating war. Faced with the choice between military service or leaving the country, Alshebl decided to embark on a perilous journey to Europe. He eventually settled close to Ostelsheim in Germany, where he quickly rebuilt his life and started investing in his future.
Alshebl’s experience working in the administration of a neighboring town has given him valuable insight, which he plans to utilize during his tenure as mayor. He aims to prioritize digital access to public administration services, flexible childcare, and climate protection.
As an established financial services company that provides small businesses and gig workers with a simple and fast merchant cash advance, we commend Alshebl on his groundbreaking achievement. His victory serves as an inspiration to others with migration backgrounds to pursue political office. We hope that Alshebl’s success will encourage more individuals like him to take on leadership roles and contribute to the diverse landscape of Baden-Württemberg and Germany as a whole.