Ryyan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Germany in 2015, has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the mayoral election in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Alshebl, who hails from As Suwayda in Syria, ran as an independent candidate in Ostelsheim municipality and secured an impressive 55.41% of the votes, defeating two German candidates.
The 29-year-old expressed his excitement and described his victory as “sensational.” He acknowledged that Ostelsheim’s support for his candidacy exemplified open-mindedness and cosmopolitanism, which are not often associated with conservative rural areas.
Alshebl’s first call after his win was to his mother in Syria, who was overjoyed by the news. He is the first man with Syrian roots to hold a mayor’s office in the state, according to the Association of Municipalities of Baden-Württemberg. Alshebl will officially begin his role in June.
The people of Ostelsheim warmly welcomed their new mayor, with one resident describing it as a “fairy tale come true.” Even one of his opponents, Marco Strauss, congratulated Alshebl and called for support for the new mayor.
State Integration Minister Manne Lucha celebrated Alshebl’s victory as a testament to the diversity in Baden-Württemberg and expressed hope that it would encourage more individuals with a migration background to run for political office. However, not everyone has embraced Alshebl’s success wholeheartedly. He faced hateful comments from some far-right fringe voters during the campaign.
Alshebl’s journey to becoming a mayor has been filled with challenges. Born to a schoolteacher and agricultural engineer in Syria, he had a carefree life until the age of 20, when the civil war disrupted his country. Faced with the choice of military service or leaving Syria, Alshebl decided to flee and made the treacherous journey to Europe, reaching Germany at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015.
After arriving in Germany, Alshebl quickly resumed his pursuit of a better future. He lived near Ostelsheim and believed that investing in his own future was the way forward. Over the past seven years, he worked in the administration of Althengstett town hall, gaining valuable experience that he utilized during his campaign. He prioritized digital access to public administration services, flexible childcare, and climate protection.
Alshebl, who holds German citizenship and is a member of the Green Party, vowed to move to Ostelsheim once elected as mayor. With his win, he has not only made history but also shown that individuals with credit challenges, such as 1099 workers and small business owners, can achieve their goals with determination and support from the community.