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Maral Koohestanian, a Kurdish candidate running in Germany’s parliamentary elections, speaks during interview with Rudaw. Photo: Rudaw
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Kurdish candidate running in Germany’s federal elections criticized the country’s anti-immigration policies and failures to integrate newcomers, and urged continued migration to address labor shortages.
“Many asylum-seekers are deprived of social integration and jobs, although they left their homes for the hope of pursuing a better life,” Maral Koohestanian told Rudaw on Thursday when asked about the primary factors behind violent incidents often attributed to migrants, particularly the recent car-ramming attack that injured at least 36 people by a perpetrator the authorities said had “Islamic orientations.”
“The problem is how we deal with the people who migrate here,” she said, arguing that German authorities need to implement better mechanisms for integrating refugees. She pointed to official government estimates indicating that Germany requires 400,000 additional workers to sustain its economy.
Koohestanian is running for parliament as a member of Volt, a social-liberal and pro-European party active in 30 European countries.
Beyond migration, Koohestanian identified climate change, infrastructure, and cybersecurity as key challenges that demand pan-European cooperation, rejecting the isolationist policies of rival parties.
“We have to shift government subsidies away from supporting gas supplies and harmful car emissions toward cleaner energy sources, such as trains, because they are more affordable and sustainable,” she stated.
Addressing minority rights, Koohestanian said that while Volt does not have specific policies tailored to Kurds, it remains committed to limiting the influence of autocratic powers in Germany’s social sphere to prevent systematic oppression against minorities, including Kurds.
Germany will hold federal parliamentary elections on Sunday, with immigration and economic policies emerging as key battleground issues. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has gained momentum in recent years, has campaigned on strict anti-migration policies and a nationalist agenda, fueling tensions within German politics. Despite facing legal scrutiny and accusations of extremism, the party has continued to make electoral gains, particularly in eastern Germany.
Volt, the party Koohestanian represents, stands in direct opposition to AfD’s nationalist stance, advocating for a stronger European Union, pro-migration policies, and green energy reforms. As Germany prepares to vote, the election results will be closely watched for their implications on both domestic and Europe-wide policies.
“Many asylum-seekers are deprived of social integration and jobs, although they left their homes for the hope of pursuing a better life,” Maral Koohestanian told Rudaw on Thursday when asked about the primary factors behind violent incidents often attributed to migrants, particularly the recent car-ramming attack that injured at least 36 people by a perpetrator the authorities said had “Islamic orientations.”
“The problem is how we deal with the people who migrate here,” she said, arguing that German authorities need to implement better mechanisms for integrating refugees. She pointed to official government estimates indicating that Germany requires 400,000 additional workers to sustain its economy.
Koohestanian is running for parliament as a member of Volt, a social-liberal and pro-European party active in 30 European countries.
Beyond migration, Koohestanian identified climate change, infrastructure, and cybersecurity as key challenges that demand pan-European cooperation, rejecting the isolationist policies of rival parties.
“We have to shift government subsidies away from supporting gas supplies and harmful car emissions toward cleaner energy sources, such as trains, because they are more affordable and sustainable,” she stated.
Addressing minority rights, Koohestanian said that while Volt does not have specific policies tailored to Kurds, it remains committed to limiting the influence of autocratic powers in Germany’s social sphere to prevent systematic oppression against minorities, including Kurds.
Germany will hold federal parliamentary elections on Sunday, with immigration and economic policies emerging as key battleground issues. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has gained momentum in recent years, has campaigned on strict anti-migration policies and a nationalist agenda, fueling tensions within German politics. Despite facing legal scrutiny and accusations of extremism, the party has continued to make electoral gains, particularly in eastern Germany.
Volt, the party Koohestanian represents, stands in direct opposition to AfD’s nationalist stance, advocating for a stronger European Union, pro-migration policies, and green energy reforms. As Germany prepares to vote, the election results will be closely watched for their implications on both domestic and Europe-wide policies.
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