Diversity in Vorarlberg politics: Where are the migrants?

Diversity in Vorarlberg politics: Where are the migrants?

In Vorarlberg, almost every third person has a migration background, but this diversity is hardly reflected in politics. According to an analysis of the project point "Okay. Live together", people with a migration background are particularly represented at the community and workers' chamber level, while their influence at the state level remains severely limited. At the moment, only a member of Turkish roots, Cenk Dogan from the ÖVP, has taken a seat in the Vorarlberg state parliament. From a democratic perspective, this is sobering, emphasizes Caroline Manahl from the project point, since political participation is important for trust in democracy.

elections and representation

The upcoming municipal elections could be decisive: in 2020, 11 percent of the candidates had a migration background, but only 5 percent made the leap into the mandate level. The former member of the state parliament Vahide Aydin from the Greens demands more support to remove the underrepresentation. Structural obstacles, such as the lack of Austrian citizenship, make it difficult for many to become politically active. Aydin himself was the first Turkish politician in the state parliament in 2009 and sees the need to further promote political interest.