Germany goes to the polls next Sunday, September 26, due to the federal elections. On the eve of the federal election, where surprise results are expected, there has been some activity in both its own group (CDU/CSU) and opposition parties for a while, as Chancellor Merkel announced that she would not be a candidate.
On the one hand, there is the appetite of the opposition, which has been away from power for a long time, on the other hand, there is the effort of the ruling party to cover up the possible regression after Chancellor Merkel.
We will see together which of these two motives will prevail next week. However, there are other issues that are not discussed or hidden.
Therefore, there are two important reasons why we want to deal with the German elections from these columns. The first of these; The other is to draw attention to the positions of the parties that announced their election programs regarding Turkey, and the other is to raise the issue of representation in the Federal German Parliament of the Muslim community, which is generally seen as immigrants, especially more than 1.5 million German citizens of Turkish origin.
First of all, it should be clearly stated that; Germany is a country of immigration. When we look at the official data published by the Federal Statistical Office or the figures reflected in the reports of various organizations, this fact becomes obvious. Although politicians find it difficult to "accept being a country of immigration", the rate of immigrants in Germany is about 25%.
In other words, one out of every four people in Germany has an immigrant background.
The most crowded one among the immigrant origin population is the Turkish society. Almost 4 million of our citizens, including those who have acquired German citizenship, reside in Germany.
Why are we giving these numbers?
If German politics is to talk about a real democratization process, it has to offer political representation to all segments of society, at the federal and state level, in the parliament to the extent it deserves.
However, when we look at the practice, it is seen that the representation level of the population with immigrant origin is around 2.5% on average.
In addition to these ratios, it is useful to pay attention to a second detail; As can be seen from the 2020 reports of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, over 6 million Muslims live in Germany.
By the way, if you pay attention, the statistics of the number of Muslims in Germany are compiled by the Immigration and Refugees Department. In fact, it is as if Islam does not belong to Germany, but a temporary situation atmosphere is created that will come and go with immigration and leave again with immigration.
Just like not being able to accept being a country of immigration, unfortunately, it is a reflection of the discomfort felt from seeing Islam in Europe.
However, the sun is not covered with mud. Even if you don't want to see it, the sun continues to shine and give its light.
So, does the 6 million Muslim community have the political representation it deserves?
Unfortunately, no. In fact, it is faced with the situation of not being addressed even in meeting its religious needs, let alone its political representation. Even when it is considered that only the Alevis and Ahmadis are the only two communities that have the status of religious communities on behalf of Muslims, there is no need for further words.
Moreover, it is seen that political parties in Germany do not care about this representation problem. On top of that, they use almost a common language regarding relations with Turkey in their latest election program.
They are using cynical language accusing Turkey of carrying out anti-democratic processes and stating that Turkey's EU membership candidacy must end. And they do this despite millions of Turkish-origin German voters.
However, a smart person has to clean the front of his own house first. If we keep the exceptions aside, the image that it gives the opportunity to be represented by a limited number of deputies who accept to fit into certain molds determined by the party, devoid of their country of origin and values, does not make any sense anymore.
For this reason, all of our people who have the right to vote in Germany in the September 26 elections should exercise their democratic right consciously. Therefore, there are great benefits for them to go to the polls, to take a political stance and to take initiative. But what is really needed is for 6 million Muslims to act as a whole and show how inclusive politics is done.
Because the only truth that a mindset with a wrong understanding of rights can understand; is power.