Kurdish Lawmakers in German Parliament Seek Stronger Political Representation in Europe

The Kurdish political presence in Germany is growing, with seven Kurdish candidates securing seats in the recent German parliamentary elections. These lawmakers emphasize the importance of the Kurdish cause and the Kurdish diaspora, vowing to advocate for Kurdish rights within Germany’s political institutions.

Speaking to Kurdistan 24, Kurdish member of the German Bundestag, Qasim Tahir, underscored the significance of ensuring that the Kurdish voice is heard across Germany and Europe.

“As members of parliament, it is our duty to amplify the Kurdish voice. For the first time in German history, we have established a Kurdish group in parliament. Our goal is to make our presence stronger in Germany and Europe,” he said.
“Take, for example, the current situation in northern Syria (Kurdistan of Syria). We must unite to defend Kurdish rights. If we do not stand up for our people, who will?”

Similarly, Firat Kocak, a Kurdish member of the German Bundestag, from southeast Turkey (Kurdistan of Turkey), highlighted the importance of his Kurdish identity in shaping his political career.

“Of course, identity matters to me. When I first entered politics, my grandfather told me never to forget where I come from. I was born and raised here in Berlin, but my parents and ancestors are Kurdish,” Kocak told Kurdistan 24.

A Growing Kurdish Electorate in Germany

Germany is home to over two million Kurdish refugees, making their political participation crucial for representation in decision-making institutions. The success of seven Kurdish MPs in the latest elections marks a historic milestone in Kurdish political engagement in Germany.

Of the 12 Kurdish candidates who contested the elections, seven secured parliamentary seats, reinforcing the presence of a Kurdish lobby within German politics.

Kurdish MPs in the Bundestag: A Political Shift

According to preliminary results, the German Bundestag consists of 630 seats, with the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) winning 211 seats, positioning Friedrich Merz as the frontrunner for Germany’s next chancellorship.

The elected Kurdish MPs represent a wide political spectrum, mostly aligned with center-left and leftist parties. However, for the first time, a Kurdish candidate ran under the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), reflecting a broadening Kurdish political engagement in Germany.

The newly elected Kurdish parliamentarians include:

• Firat Kocak
• Cem Ince
• Mirza Idris
• Gökay Akbulut (Left Party)
• Qasim Tahir (Green Party)
• Serdar Yüksel (Social Democratic Party)

The rise of Kurdish representation in Germany’s federal parliament is seen as a significant step toward advancing Kurdish interests at the European level. With Kurdish MPs now actively shaping policies, the Kurdish cause is set to gain greater visibility in Germany’s political landscape.

(Source:Kurdistan24)