Over 10% of Bundestag Representatives Have Migration Backgrounds

Recent data indicates that just over 11% of the newly elected members of the Bundestag in Germany have a migration background, a figure that has seen minimal change since the 2021 elections. This statistic comes from a study conducted by the Mediendienst Integration, highlighting a disparity between the demographic composition of the population and the political representation in parliament.

According to the report, the definition of individuals with a migration background includes those who did not possess German citizenship at birth and those with at least one parent in that category. The findings reveal that while nearly one-third of Germany's population has a migration history, the representation in the Bundestag does not reflect this reality.

The Green Party currently leads in terms of representation, with 20% of their members identified as having a migration background. Following them are the Left Party at 18.8% and the Social Democrats (SPD) at 17.5%. In contrast, the conservative parties, the CDU and CSU, show significantly lower figures at 6.3%. This marks an increase from the previous Bundestag, where only 4.1% of CDU and CSU members had a migration background. The far-right AfD party has the lowest representation, with only 5.9% of its members fitting this category.

Misbah Khan, a member of the Green Party, expressed disappointment regarding the underrepresentation of people with migration backgrounds in the Bundestag, noting that the current percentage remains significantly lower than their share of the overall population, which was approximately 29.7% according to the 2023 micro-census.

Khan advocated for a more inclusive approach to addressing the needs and concerns of migrant communities, emphasizing the importance of changing the discourse rather than implementing a specific quota for migrants. She highlighted that within the Green Party, there is a supportive environment for individuals with migration backgrounds, contrasting her experiences with other parties such as the CDU.

Didem Lacin Karabulut, the Chair of the Federal Immigration and Integration Council, shared insights about the challenges faced by individuals with migration backgrounds in conservative parties. She noted that many remain on the lower tiers of candidate lists despite their engagement, often due to socioeconomic factors that favor those with better networks and resources.

The ongoing debate regarding the potential revocation of citizenship for dual nationals who commit crimes has also contributed to anxiety within migrant communities. This proposal, primarily pushed by members of the conservative parties, has raised concerns about the implications for individuals whose home countries do not allow renunciation of citizenship.

The new Bundestag consists of 73 representatives with migration backgrounds, of which 53 were elected through party lists while 20 won direct mandates. A significant proportion of these representatives have ties to EU countries, particularly Poland, which accounts for seven members. Additionally, 18 representatives have Turkish roots, and eight hail from former Soviet states.

In terms of party representation, the percentage of individuals with migration backgrounds varies considerably, with left-leaning parties showing a higher proportion compared to their conservative counterparts. The SPD's representation remains relatively stable from previous elections, while the Green Party has seen a notable increase, reflecting a growing recognition of diversity within its ranks. In contrast, the Left Party's numbers have decreased, attributed partly to internal restructuring.