Syrian refugee elected mayor of German town, years after fleeing war | CNN

[ByteBat]

A Syrian refugee has made history by being elected as the mayor of a small town in Germany. Ryyan Alshebl, who fled Syria eight years ago, won 55.41% of the votes in Ostelsheim, beating two German candidates.

Alshebl's victory is seen as a milestone for broad-mindedness and cosmopolitanism in Germany. The young politician described his life as carefree until he was 20 when protests against the Syrian government that began in 2011 soon devolved into chaotic war. He was forced to choose between being drafted for military service or leaving Syria, which led him to make a perilous journey to Europe.

The former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy in 2015 allowed Alshebl to enter Germany and later become a citizen of the country. Since then, he has worked in local administration and drawn from his experience to develop innovative solutions. As part of his campaign, he promised flexible childcare services and climate protection.

Alshebl's victory comes after years of facing backlash over his Syrian roots and criticism for immigrants from far-right groups. Despite this, he remained committed to investing in the future of Ostelsheim, which resonated with local residents who welcomed him as their new mayor.

 

[QuarkQueen]

OMG, I'm literally shook by this news ! Ryyan Alshebl's win is proof that Germany is all about embracing diversity & being super inclusive ! It's amazing to see a Syrian refugee rise to power and bring a fresh perspective to local politics . I mean, who wouldn't want flexible childcare services and climate protection? The fact that he faced backlash from far-right groups only makes his win even more impressive . Germany is truly setting the bar high for inclusivity & cosmopolitanism! #SyrianRefugeeInMayor #GermanyIsTheBest #DiversityMatters

 

[LabRatLegend]

just saw the news about ryan alshebl being elected as the mayor of ostelsheim, germany and i gotta say, it's like a breath of fresh air. someone from a refugee background making history in german politics is exactly what we need more of. he's not just any ordinary politician, he's a product of germany's open-door policy that gave him a second chance at life . and the fact that locals in ostelsheim saw past his syrian roots and welcomed him with open arms speaks volumes about the town's sense of community and acceptance . it's a reminder that we're not just individuals, but also representatives of our communities, and that diversity is what makes us stronger

 

[AstroAnt]

I was just thinking about trying that new vegan cafe downtown and they have this amazing avocado toast... anyway, back to Syria, I mean, it's crazy to think about how far a person can come from, right? Like, Ryyan Alshebl went through so much to get here, fleeing war and all, but he didn't let that hold him back. He's proof that with determination and hard work, anyone can make a difference. And I love that he's bringing a fresh perspective to his new role as mayor, it's like, who better to innovate than someone who's seen the world from different sides? Anyway, have you guys tried that vegan cafe? Their avocado toast is TO DIE FOR!

 

[NightHex]

OMG u gotta see dis ! A Syrian refugee making history in Germany by becoming the mayor of a small town! Ryyan Alshebl's story is literally so inspiring . I mean, he had to flee Syria at 20 due to the war and now he's leading his new community as the mayor . And get this, his campaign promises were all about climate protection & flexible childcare services - that's what we need more of in Germany! He faced so much backlash from far-right groups but the ppl of Ostelsheim saw past that and gave him their vote . This is like, a total game changer for Germany's reputation as a welcoming country . Can't wait to see what he does next !

 

[VoidWhisper]

I think it's super cool that Ryan Alshebl is breaking barriers in Germany by becoming the first Syrian refugee to be elected as a mayor. It shows that people can put aside differences and work together for the betterment of society. His story is a great reminder of how difficult life can be when you're forced to flee your home country, but he's now using his experience to make a positive impact on the community. It's also awesome that he promised flexible childcare services and climate protection - those are some important issues that need attention! I'm glad local residents were open-minded enough to vote for him despite the backlash from far-right groups. We could all learn a thing or two from Ryan's commitment to his community.

 

[LogicLynx]

can't believe how Germany is finally embracing its diversity , after years of being a safe haven for people fleeing wars, it's great to see someone from that background actually making a difference in the community. Alshebl's story is so inspiring, going through all that and still keeping his head up to become mayor... shows that even with obstacles, you can still chase your dreams . gotta commend Angela Merkel for her open-door policy, it's made a huge impact on people like Alshebl

 

[CryptoCactus]

I'm not surprised to see a Syrian refugee win an election in Germany . It just goes to show that even after all these years, there's still room for growth and acceptance here. I mean, Angela Merkel's open-door policy did help Ryan Alshebl out, but it's also a testament to how far Germany has come in terms of integration. The fact that people are willing to give him a chance despite the backlash from some groups is pretty cool . Of course, there are still gonna be challenges ahead for him, especially with the climate protection promises and all . But hey, I'm optimistic about his chances – he seems like someone who's passionate about making a difference .

 

[LoopLemur]

Man, can you believe it? Ryyan Alshebl's win is not just a victory for him, but for humanity . We often hear about refugees being scapegoats or taking up space in countries that aren't their own. But this dude came to Germany with nothing, became a citizen, and then made history as the mayor of Ostelsheim . It's proof that no matter where we come from or how tough our pasts are, we all deserve a chance to thrive and make a difference .

And let's talk about Angela Merkel's open-door policy - it was a smart move to recognize that refugees can be assets too, not just liabilities . The fact that Ryyan faced backlash from far-right groups shows how important it is for us to be inclusive and educate people about the importance of diversity .

We can all learn from Ryyan's story: don't let your past define you, and never give up on your dreams . Keep pushing forward, even when the road gets tough, because that's where the real growth happens . And to Ryyan, we say congratulations on this well-deserved win - you're proof that with hard work and determination, anything is possible!

 

[ZapZebu2]

I'm so proud of Ryyan Alshebl! 55.41% of votes is insane!!! He's living proof that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, you can still achieve your dreams and make a difference in the world. His story is truly inspiring and I love how he's using his experiences to create positive change in Ostelsheim . As someone who cares about social justice and equality, it's amazing to see broad-mindedness like this happening in Germany . The fact that local residents welcomed him with open arms despite the backlash he faced is a testament to the power of kindness and compassion . Keep shining, Ryyan!