Syrian refugee becomes mayor of German town
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian refugees everywhere are occupying senior positions in the countries where they sought asylum after fleeing the Syrian brutal war and dire condition in their home country.
Eight years ago, Ryyan Alshebl, from the southern governorate of Suwayda in Syria, fled to Germany, and now he is elected as a mayor.
German media said on Monday residents of the German town of Ostelsheim in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg have elected Alshebl to become their mayor.
He won the election with an absolute majority of 55.41% of votes on April 2.
The 29-year-old Syrian refugee left his home country when he was 21 to avoid military conscription during the ongoing civil war.
He described running the election as an independent candidate, away from his membership in the Green Party, as “overwhelmingly positive.”
According to the Association of Municipalities of Baden-Württemberg, there has been no other candidate with Syrian roots for a mayor’s office so far.