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

A Syrian refugee, Ryyan Alshebl, has made history by winning the mayoral election in the southwestern German town of Ostelsheim. His stunning victory comes eight years after he fled his hometown of As Suwayda due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Alshebl, who is 29 years old and a member of the Green Party, ran as an independent candidate and won a resounding 55.41% of the votes, beating two German candidates, Marco Strauss and Mathias Fey. The young politician's win has sent shockwaves throughout the community, with locals cheering his victory and welcoming him to the town.

In his victory speech, Alshebl described his win as "sensational," stating that Ostelsheim had "sent an example for broad-mindedness and cosmopolitanism" for the whole of Germany. He emphasized that diversity is a natural part of Baden-WΓΌrttemberg and called on more people with migration backgrounds to run for political office.

Alshebl's journey to becoming mayor is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Syria, he was forced to flee his home due to the devastating war that has ravaged the country since 2011. He crossed from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos as a young man and eventually made his way to Germany, where he has been living for seven years.

During his campaign, Alshebl drew on his experience working in administration and promised to prioritize digital access to public services, flexible childcare, and climate protections if elected. He also pledged to move to Ostelsheim once in office, a promise that won him support from local residents who are eager for change.

The win marks a significant milestone in the life of Alshebl, who is now on track to becoming one of the most unlikely mayors in German history. As he embarks on this new chapter, he will be under intense scrutiny, but his commitment to serving the community and promoting diversity has already won over many hearts.

The town's residents are jubilant about Alshebl's victory, with some even describing it as a "fairy tale come true." However, not everyone is celebrating. Alshebl faced criticism from far-right fringe voters who refused to accept him due to his Syrian roots.

Despite this, Alshebl remains undeterred, focusing on building bridges between different communities and working towards a more inclusive future for Ostelsheim. His win serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity, tolerance, and compassion in our society.
 
I'm like totally blown away by Ryyan Alshebl's historic win 🀯! It's honestly mind-blowing that he, a Syrian refugee, has become the mayor of Ostelsheim, Germany 😲. I mean, just think about it - 8 years ago, he was fleeing war-torn Syria, and now he's leading his new community in Germany πŸ’ͺ.

What really gets me is how Alshebl is all about promoting diversity and inclusion 🌈. He's got a track record of working in administration, and now he's talking about digital access to services, flexible childcare, and climate protections - it's like he's got a whole manifesto for the town πŸ“š.

I'm also loving how he's embracing his roots and promising to move to Ostelsheim once in office 🏠. It's all about building bridges between communities, right? And let's be real, his win is a total game-changer for Germany - it shows that people from all walks of life can come together and make a difference πŸ’•.

Of course, not everyone's celebrating (far-right fringe voters, you're like, what even is wrong with you πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ), but Alshebl remains all about spreading love and positivity 🌈. I'm so here for it! This win has got me feeling all optimistic about the future - let's hope we can all learn from Ryyan's example and strive towards a more inclusive, compassionate society πŸ™.
 
this is insane, 29 yrs old from syria winning mayor election in germany πŸ€―πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ gotta respect the kid's determination & vision for inclusivity! his message of building bridges & promoting diversity is music to my ears 🎢🌎 alshebl's journey is a testament to the human spirit, he overcame so much to get here and now he's leading the way forward πŸ’ͺπŸ”₯
 
OMG, can u believe it? 😱 A Syrian refugee winning mayoral election in Germany is literally mind-blowing! 🀯 I mean, Alshebl's journey from fleeing war-torn Syria to becoming mayor of Ostelsheim is insane πŸ’₯! He deserves so much credit for being brave enough to run and now making a difference in his community. It's amazing how he's already inspiring others to get involved in politics too πŸ‘. And I love that he's prioritizing digital access, flexible childcare, and climate protections - those are legit issues we should all be talking about 🌎. The fact that the town is welcoming him with open arms shows that there's still so much good will out there ❀️. Now, let's hope his critics calm down and support him instead of trying to tear him down πŸ€•. This is just a beautiful example of how diversity and inclusion can lead to amazing things 🌈!
 
OMG u guys! 🀩 This is so inspiring!!! Ryyan Alshebl's win is literally a dream come true for so many ppl, especially refugees who've been forced to flee their homes due to conflict. I mean, he went from being a 21-yr-old refugee trying to build a new life in Germany to becoming the MAYOR of a small town in just ONE election cycle! 🀯 That's what I call determination and leadership!

And I love how he's all about promoting diversity and inclusion - it's so refreshing to see someone who's not afraid to speak up for what they believe in. His message of unity and broad-mindedness is exactly what Germany needs right now.

Of course, not everyone's happy about his win... but I say, let the haters hate πŸ™„! Alshebl has already won over so many hearts with his charisma and vision for the future. I'm rooting for him all the way! πŸ’ͺ
 
OMG 🀯 I'm literally speechless!!! 29 yrs old Ryyan Alshebl just won the mayoral election in Germany!!! I mean, can you even imagine? The way he spoke about building bridges between communities and promoting diversity is giving me all the feels ❀️🌎. It's amazing to see someone with a history of fleeing war and losing everything come out on top through sheer hard work and determination πŸ’ͺ.

I love that he mentioned digital access, flexible childcare, and climate protections - those are some serious policy changes πŸ˜‚πŸ’‘. And his commitment to moving to Ostelsheim as mayor is adorable 🏠. The community reaction has been incredible too - it's clear they're thrilled to have a fresh perspective in town.

Of course, there's always going to be some negativity and criticism, but Ryyan seems like the kind of person who can handle that with class πŸ‘‘. He's already winning hearts with his win, and I'm so excited to see what he does next πŸ€”. This is definitely a fairy tale come true for him! πŸ’«
 
🌟 I'm literally beaming with joy over this incredible story! 🀩 29-year-old Ryyan Alshebl is not only making history by becoming the first Syrian refugee to win a mayoral election in Germany but he's also spreading a message of hope and unity. His commitment to building bridges between communities and promoting diversity is exactly what our world needs right now. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in a town where people are celebrating "fairy tale come true" for a Syrian refugee? 😊 It's not just about Alshebl's win, it's about the positive impact he'll have on Ostelsheim and beyond. This young politician is proof that with determination and compassion, we can create a more inclusive and cosmopolitan society. πŸ’–
 
omg, i'm literally freaking out 🀯 about this news!!! Ryyan Alshebl's win is like, the ultimate symbol of hope & inclusivity 🌎 he's not only breaking barriers as a refugee, but also as a member of the Green Party... and the fact that he won with 55.41% of the votes? 😲 totally inspiring! i love how he's already talking about promoting diversity & cosmopolitanism in Germany... we need more people like him 🀝 especially in politics where it feels like progress is slow sometimes πŸ•°οΈ anyway, congrats to Ryyan Alshebl on this amazing win πŸ‘ can't wait to see what the future holds for Ostelsheim πŸ’š
 
I don’t usually comment but I just had to say that this is so inspiring 🀩 Ryan Alshebl’s story is like something out of a movie, you know? From fleeing Syria to becoming the mayor of Ostelsheim, it's like he's defying all odds and proving everyone wrong. And I think what's really amazing is that he's not just running on his own platform, but also advocating for diversity and inclusivity in politics. It's like, we need more people like him who are willing to break the mold and challenge the status quo πŸ’ͺ
 
omg πŸ’–πŸŽ‰ i'm beyond thrilled 4 this amazing Syrian refugee Ryyan Alshebl who won the mayoral election in Ostelsheim!!! πŸ™Œ he's going to bring so much positivity & diversity to that town 😊 and it's just inspiring 2 see him rise from nothing 2 become the mayor πŸ’ͺ his commitment 2 building bridges & promoting inclusivity is exactly what we need more of in our society ❀️ let's all welcome Ryyan Alshebl with open arms & celebrate this beautiful win πŸŽ‰πŸ‘
 
I'm literally so hyped about Ryyan Alshebl's historic win in Ostelsheim πŸŽ‰! Eight years after fleeing Syria due to the brutal conflict, he's now leading the way for more people with migration backgrounds to get involved in politics πŸ’ͺ. His win is a total game-changer and shows that even with all the odds against you, hard work and determination can take you to the top πŸ“ˆ. I love how he's prioritizing digital access, childcare, and climate protections - it's about time we got more leaders who care about the little things too 🀝. As someone who's always been passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion, I'm so proud of Ryyan for staying true to himself and his values πŸ’•. It's not going to be easy being a mayor, especially with those far-right voters giving him grief πŸ˜’, but he's all about building bridges and working towards a more inclusive future - that's the kind of leadership we need right now 🌈!
 
omg can u believe that there's actually a Syrian guy who won mayoral election in Germany?? i mean its like something outta a movie he came from war zone and now hes leading this tiny town im so curious about how hes gonna do it tho has anyone seen the new season of "stranger things"?
 
πŸš¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Just heard that this Syrian refugee won mayoral election in Germany... 55.41% of the votes is a pretty big margin, but I'm kinda worried about what's next πŸ€”. He's gonna be under intense scrutiny now and there are still people out there who don't wanna accept him because of his roots 😬. It's like, progress is one thing, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. This guy has a lot to live up to and I'm not sure if the town of Ostelsheim was ready for this level of change 🀯. On the other hand, it's still kinda cool that a Syrian refugee made history in Germany πŸ’•... let's just see how it all plays out πŸ‘€
 
can you believe it πŸ˜²πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ ryyan alshebl is like literally the most amazing person ever! winning mayor election at 29 is straight up insane 🀯 he's got so much heart and passion for his community, it's beautiful to see him just spread love and acceptance wherever he goes ❀️ i'm not surprised that locals are super excited about him taking office, he's already got a huge following on socials πŸ’» and his platform is all about creating positive change 🌎 digital access, childcare, climate protections... it's like he's speaking our language πŸ’¬
 
πŸŒŽπŸ’– This is 🀩 news! A Syrian refugee winning mayoral election in Germany is super inspiring πŸ™Œ. I think it's πŸ’ͺ amazing that Ryyan Alshebl's journey from Syria to becoming mayor of Ostelsheim is a huge symbol of hope 🌟 for people with migration backgrounds πŸ‘₯ to run for political office and make a difference 🀝.

He's got some awesome ideas πŸ“Š like digital access to public services, flexible childcare, and climate protections 🌱. I'm excited to see how he'll implement these plans and build bridges between different communities 🌈. His win is not just about him, it's also about creating a more inclusive future for Ostelsheim πŸ‘«.

πŸ‘ to Ryyan Alshebl on his incredible achievement πŸŽ‰! He's got the πŸ’– of the community behind him, and I have no doubt he'll work hard to make Ostelsheim an even better place for everyone 🌟.
 
OMG, can u believe it? 🀯 A Syrian refugee turned MAYOR in Germany?! 😲 It's like a dream come true for many, especially those from migrant backgrounds who feel underrepresented in politics. Alshebl's win is literally a beacon of hope for a more inclusive Germany! πŸ’– #DiversityMatters #Germany #RefugeeSuccessStory #LeadershipWithHeart
 
🀝 I'm so stoked to see this young Syrian refugee taking over his new town! What's even more inspiring is that he didn't let his background hold him back, instead, it fueled his passion for change. We all know someone who's been in a tough spot, but Ryan's story shows us that adversity can be a catalyst for growth.

It's crazy how many people were initially hesitant to accept him due to his roots, but the thing is, he didn't let their negativity bring him down. Instead, he chose to focus on building connections and creating a better community for everyone. That takes some serious courage! As we navigate our own lives, it's easy to get caught up in what others think, but Ryan's win reminds us that our true strength lies in embracing diversity and being open-minded.

We can all learn from Ryan's journey – be it through his commitment to public service or his willingness to take risks. What if we all took a cue from him and started building bridges instead of walls? It's time for us to celebrate individuality and work towards creating a more inclusive world, one community at a time! πŸ’–
 
OMG, Ryyan Alshebl is literally living my dream πŸ€©πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡Ύ! I mean, can u believe he won the mayoral election in Ostelsheim? It's like, totally mind-blowing 😲. As a Syrian refugee who faced so much hardship and uncertainty, to be able to achieve such greatness is just amazing. His win is not just about him tho - it's about all the other ppl with migration backgrounds who are waiting for their turn to shine πŸ’«. I'm so hyped that he's going to prioritize digital access to public services and climate protections 🌎. And let's be real, his victory speech was EVERYTHING 😍. The fact that he's calling out far-right fringe voters for being all hat and no cat πŸ™„ is just the icing on the cake. We need more ppl like Ryyan Alshebl who are unapologetically themselves and pushing for a more inclusive future 🌈. Long live Mayor Alshebl! πŸ‘‘
 
🌎πŸ‘₯ I think it's absolutely amazing that Ryyan Alshebl has made history by becoming the mayor of Ostelsheim! Eight years after fleeing his hometown due to war, he's now leading a town in Germany. His win is not just a testament to his own strength and resilience but also to the power of diversity and inclusivity.

🀝 I love how he emphasized that diversity is a natural part of Baden-Württemberg and called on more people with migration backgrounds to run for political office. It's so true that our communities are stronger when we celebrate our differences and work towards a common goal.

🌈 As a society, we're at a crossroads where we can choose to be more open-minded and welcoming or let fear and division tear us apart. Alshebl's win is a beacon of hope that shows us what's possible when we prioritize compassion, empathy, and understanding.

πŸ’» It's also interesting to see how he promised to prioritize digital access to public services, flexible childcare, and climate protections if elected. These are all crucial issues that will impact the lives of Ostelsheim residents and Alshebl's vision for his town is truly inspiring.

πŸ‘ To everyone who welcomed Ryyan with open arms, especially those from far-right fringe voters, I say thank you for showing up and having a respectful conversation. It's not always easy to bridge gaps between different communities, but Alshebl's win shows us that it's possible with courage, empathy, and a willingness to listen.

Overall, Ryyan Alshebl's victory is a reminder that we have the power to create positive change in our own lives and in our communities. Let's all strive to be more like him – open-minded, compassionate, and committed to building a better world for everyone! πŸ’–
 
🀩 I'm loving this new development in Germany! Ryyan Alshebl's win is a huge deal, not just because he's the first Syrian refugee to become mayor, but also because he's bringing a fresh perspective to the town. His experience as a refugee and his commitment to diversity are exactly what we need more of in politics right now 😊. I'm so glad to see people from different backgrounds coming together and celebrating each other's differences πŸ’–. It's time for us to break down those barriers and build a society that's truly inclusive 🌈. Can't wait to see how Alshebl will make Ostelsheim an even better place! πŸ‘
 
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