Election results in focus: strengthening migrant voices for democracy!

Election results in focus: strengthening migrant voices for democracy!

On September 10, 2025, an important event took place in the Helene Nathan Library that dealt with the election results and the role of migrant communities in Germany. The political scientist Özgür Özvatan, known from the podcast “Once Politics with Everything” and a former football player, analyzed the dangers associated with ignoring these communities. He was accompanied by the editor Maike Nedo, who entered into a dialogue with Özvatan. Participation in the event was free. Registration was not required and wheelchair access was available.

Özvatan's analysis shows that the political approach to migrant Germans requires a fundamental realignment. Migrant communities are increasingly being addressed by right-wing extremist parties such as the AfD and the populist BSW, while the existing political structures only provide inadequate answers to their concerns. These developments are worrying because, according to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, parts of the AfD are classified as right-wing extremist.

Political participation and challenges

In Germany, political participation is divided into various forms, including elections, party and election campaign-related activities, and involvement in civil society organizations. Nevertheless, people with a migrant background often have difficulties getting involved politically. In 2021, 27.2% of the population had a migrant background, with only 13.6% of eligible voters coming from these groups. This is also because many of the people with a migration background do not have German citizenship.

Participation in political processes is influenced by various factors. The level of integration and familiarity with political processes are central aspects that determine voter turnout. Higher proportions of eligible voters from recruiting countries and resettlement countries who are politically active show that mobilizing these groups can be a crucial element in increasing voter turnout.

The role of digital platforms

The dissemination of political messages has changed through digital platforms, which are now identified as effective channels for communicating with migrant communities. This development could be crucial in promoting the political participation of these people and counteracting the influence of right-wing populist speech. The current political landscape is often dominated by ignorance and a lack of response to the needs of people with a migrant background.

Overall, the event in the Helene Nathan Library highlights the need to involve migrant communities more closely in the political discourse in order to ensure the stability of the democratic system in Germany. Addressing this group is not only a matter of justice, but also a necessity for future social stability.

For more information on these topics, you can consult the articles from Berlin.de, Building publishing houses and bpb.de be consulted.