As Berlin prepares for its state election on September 20, a record number of residents — approximately 976,000 adults, or a quarter of the city's 3.9 million population — will be unable to vote because they lack German citizenship. This figure has doubled since 2011, highlighting a growing democratic deficit in the German capital. Many affected residents, like Egyptian software developer Abdu Taviq, express frustration over their lack of political representation.

Taviq, who moved to Berlin seven years ago for work, has grown to love the city's culture and relaxed lifestyle. However, he is unhappy with rising rental prices and bureaucratic hurdles. "I would like to start my own business, but it is difficult because of all the bureaucracy," he told DW. More importantly, he feels disenfranchised: "We are people who pay taxes, but we don't have any representation at all, even on local level." He is critical of the current conservative-led coalition but cannot vote to change it.

Berlin's status as a federal state means that voting rights are more restricted than in municipal elections, where EU citizens can vote. The disenfranchisement is particularly acute in central districts like Mitte, where Green Party mayor Stefanie Remlinger has organized a "symbolic election" for the 135,000 non-German adults in her area. The initiative aims to "raise awareness for the issue of voting rights for all." Remlinger told DW that Mitte is home to people from 170 countries, many of whom cannot vote, and it is important to signal that their opinions are valued.

However, Remlinger acknowledges the challenging political climate in Germany, with the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) polling at nearly 20% in Berlin. "We as the Greens would liberalize voting rights even more, but I don't see the general debate in Germany going that way," she said. She recounted a panel discussion where an FDP politician argued against giving foreigners voting rights, fearing they might start their own parties and take over the government. Taviq also senses this rightward shift and is considering leaving Germany altogether.

Economically, losing skilled workers like Taviq would be a blow to Germany, which faces a projected shortage of 440,000 workers by 2029. While some cities have advisory boards for non-Germans, granting them real voting rights is often seen as a step too far. Remlinger believes the best path is to make it easier for immigrants to become German citizens. Germany recently tightened citizenship rules, reversing the three-year fast-track option, but kept the five-year residency requirement. In 2025, about 39,000 people were naturalized in Berlin, up 17,000 from 2024. For Taviq, that avenue remains closed, but he says if he could vote, he would reconsider leaving: "Now I'm just like a bank machine — they come to me and take half of my salary."

Source: www.dw.com