On September 1, 2024, important elections will be held in Saxony that will decide the future of the region and its diverse population. In addition to the state parliament elections, in which the citizens of Saxony will vote on the composition of the 8th Saxon state parliament, the election of the Dresden Integration and Foreigners' Advisory Council will also take place. This election allows foreigners in Dresden to elect their representative at municipal level, but only by postal vote.
The Dresden Integration and Foreigners' Advisory Council is an important body that represents the concerns of migrants in the city. It consists of 20 members, eleven of whom come from the migrant community and are elected every five years. The other nine members are city councillors who ensure cooperation with the Lord Mayor and the City Council. The aim of the advisory board is to strengthen the participation of migrants in municipal decision-making processes and to represent their interests in political discussions.
Preparing for the election
This year, 32 candidates stood for election to the Integration and Foreigners' Advisory Board. On July 4, 2024, the election committee decided on the admission of the candidates. Ultimately, 28 candidates were approved and are now on the ballot paper. Around 55,000 foreign nationals in Dresden are called upon to elect their representatives. The election documents will be sent out from the end of July to mid-August.
In order to encourage voter turnout, a city campaign with the slogan "Vote with us" ran until July 23, 2024. 100 City Light posters are distributed throughout the city to motivate the foreign population to take part in the election.
Candidate presentation rounds
To enable voters to get to know the candidates better, four presentation rounds are organized at which the candidates present their programmes and goals. These will take place at various locations in Dresden:
- August 14, 2024, 5 to 6.30 p.m. at AFROPA e. V., Weltclub, Königsbrücker Straße 13, 01099 Dresden
- August 20, 2024, 5 to 6.30 p.m. at Ausländerrat Dresden e. V, Internationales Begegnungszentrum, Heinrich-Zille-Straße 6, 01219 Dresden
- 29 August 2024, 5 to 6.30 pm at the Jugendkunstschule, Palitzschhof, Gamigstraße 24, 01239 Dresden
These events offer a valuable opportunity for the migrant community to get to know their future representatives and cast their votes based on the programs presented.
Importance of voter turnout
The election of the Integration and Foreigners' Advisory Council is of crucial importance as it gives the migrant residents of Dresden a voice in local politics. At a time when extremist forces are gaining influence, participating in this election is a strong sign of support for democracy and diversity in Saxony.
The Ausländerrat Dresden e.V. has launched the "Democracy 2024" campaign to inform migrant citizens about their voting options and to promote their participation in society. This campaign is supported by posters, flyers and videos that emphasize the importance of the right to vote.
Call for support
In order to successfully implement the "Democracy 2024" campaign, financial support is needed. Companies such as publizer GmbH are being asked to increase the campaign's reach through donations or the purchase of posters. In addition, companies can actively support the campaign by displaying the posters on their premises and encouraging their employees to vote.
The upcoming elections offer an important opportunity to strengthen democracy and promote integration in society. With a high voter turnout, the migrant communities in Dresden can effectively represent their interests and actively participate in shaping their future.
Further information on the election and the work of the Dresden Integration and Foreigners' Advisory Council can be found on the official website of the City of Dresden at www.dresden.de/auslaenderbeirat.
There are also advisory councils for migrants in Leipzig and Chemnitz.
