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

In a historic election for Baden-Württemberg, 29-year-old Syrian refugee Ryyan Alshebl won the mayoral race in Ostelsheim with 55.41% of the vote on April 2, 2023, defeating two German candidates. Alshebl fled the Syrian civil war in 2015 at age 21, crossing from Turkey to Lesbos before resettling near Ostelsheim. He later gained German citizenship and worked in local administration, running as an independent with Green Party affiliation. His platform focused on digital public services, flexible childcare, and climate protection. Alshebl becomes the first person with Syrian roots to be elected mayor in Baden-Württemberg, though he faced some far-right opposition during the campaign. He will assume office in June 2023.