Enlarge image
Tareq Alaows: In 2015 he fled Syria to Germany
Photo: Christian Ditsch / epd / imago images
Six years ago Tareq Alaows fled Syria to Germany.
This year he wanted to be elected to the Bundestag.
Now the Green politician has withdrawn his candidacy in Oberhausen and Dinslaken.
The reason for this is the security of his closest environment, according to a message from the local Green Association in Dinslaken.
"The high level of threat for me and especially for people close to me is the most important reason for withdrawing my candidacy," Alaows is quoted in it.
The experiences of racism that he had to experience during his candidacy were terrifying.
"My candidacy has shown that we need strong structures in all parties, politics and society that counter structural racism and help those affected," said Alaows.
Alaows is withdrawing from the public for the time being
The Greens in Oberhausen and Dinslaken would regret the decision, the message continues.
In order to protect his private environment, Alaows withdraw from the public for a certain period of time.
Alaows had announced at the beginning of February that he would run as a direct candidate for the Greens in North Rhine-Westphalia in the federal elections.
He wanted to fight against discrimination and give the refugees a political voice, he said at the time.
In 2015, the 31-year-old Alaows fled Syria to Germany via the Mediterranean and the Balkans after completing his law degree.
According to media reports, he had applied for citizenship last December.
This is a prerequisite for being able to be elected to the Bundestag.
In an interview with “Zeit Online” at the time, he was optimistic that he would obtain citizenship by the election in September.
He and his lawyers were convinced that he met the necessary criteria, it said.
According to recent reports, the authorities have not yet made a decision.
asc