German election: Iranian refugee wants a seat in the Bundestag
He fled Iran a decade ago. Now Shoan Vaisi is standing for Germany's parliament. The Left Party candidate and former professional wrestler has a political mission.
He fled Iran a decade ago. Now Shoan Vaisi is standing for Germany's parliament. The Left Party candidate and former professional wrestler has a political mission.
Germany’s electorate includes some 7.4 million citizens with international roots, while many more millions of residents from abroad aren’t allowed to vote. Both groups are often overlooked by political parties.
Integration councils represent the rights of migrants and non-Germans; everyone can vote, regardless of citizenship. In Cologne, a member of the Polish-German community has been elected for the first time.
As EU leaders discussed migration at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, migrants and refugees themselves gathered next door to discuss their challenges at a first refugee and migrant summit at EU level.
Over 4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran are not allowed to cast their votes in the upcoming Afghan parliamentary election. The refugees fear the next legislative body won't protect their interests.
Migrants and refugees are guaranteed certain rights under the Refugee Convention, but do they go far enough? Should they have the right to vote in national as well as local elections in their host countries? InfoMigrants takes a look at political participation of refugees and migrants across the EU.