BERLIN - A Kurdish politician from Germany's Green Party and deputy speaker of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament is running for mayor of Cologne, envisioning the western German city as the “climate capital of Europe” and urging Kurdish youth to engage in political life.
In an interview with Rudaw on Tuesday, Berivan Aymaz said, “I’ve lived in Cologne since I was eight, after my family suddenly found themselves without a country and without hope in 1980. This city gave me and my family a home.”
Originally from the predominantly Kurdish province of Cewlig (Bingol) in eastern Turkey, Aymaz encouraged Kurdish youth in Germany to "engage in political life and civic participation,” stressing the importance of staying informed about local developments. “Go to the polls and exercise your democratic right," she told them.
Aymaz outlined her key priorities for Cologne, focusing on social justice, especially at a time when municipal budgets are tight. “We need policies that focus not on secondary projects, but on the real needs of the people,” she said.
She also expressed her intent to address the housing crisis in Cologne, noting that many in the west Germany city are unable to afford to live in the city.
Aymaz also told Rudaw that she envisions Cologne as the "climate capital of Europe,” vowing to focus on green infrastructure and “gradually reducing car use and improving public transportation." She further plans to "plant 2,000 new trees in the city every year."
Addressing the growing threat of racism and far-right extremism, the Kurdish-born politician urged firm action, including banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, whom she said must not be allowed “to use democratic means to spread propaganda against minorities.”
As a woman of Kurdish background, she sees her candidacy as a powerful reminder that "democracy looks not at where a person comes from, but at the work they do and the values they represent.”
The election is set for September 14. Aymaz urged all eligible residents to vote, emphasizing her hope that her candidacy inspires others. "I would be happy if, with their votes, for the first time in German history, a Green Party politician becomes mayor of a German city of millions, especially if that politician is someone Kurdistan-born."
The election is scheduled for September 14, and Aymaz called on all eligible residents to vote. “I would be proud if, for the first time in German history, a Green Party politician were elected mayor of a city with millions of residents,” especially if that person “was born in Kurdistan,” she said.
Below is the full transcript of the interview with Berivan Aymaz.
Rudaw: My first question is, how did you dare to make such a decision and nominate yourself for the post of mayor of a major city like Cologne?
Berivan Aymaz: As you know, Alla, I have been living in Cologne since I was 8 years old, and I consider myself a Colognian with all my heart and soul. I sincerely thank this city. It has helped me and my family immensely. When we were suddenly left without a country and without hope in 1980, this city gave me and my family a home. The local community was very active. The trade union strongly supported my father, who was a teacher at the time. They knew he was being politically persecuted and helped change his status from a diplomatic one [to protected] on paper. Even in the 1980s, Cologne already had a large Kurdish community and a progressive immigrant network. They supported one another.
Two years ago, when the party's search committee was looking for someone capable of meeting the challenges of leading a city of millions, they conducted a thorough and thoughtful process. In the end, they unanimously nominated me. They asked me to take on the role, and after giving it some thought, I said, "I gladly accept the responsibility for this beloved city."
Why are you confident that you’re the best choice for this position?
The world is going through a difficult time. There are many conflicts and wars - especially in the Middle East and in Kurdistan, where many Kurds live. We are also witnessing the rise of autocracies. If we look at how a superpower like the [Donald] Trump[-led United States] and how the Trump influence continues to spread, we can see that populism has also reached Germany. Societies are being pulled apart. Here in Cologne, a city that values coexistence, this tension is noticeable.
Cologne is a united and open city, an international city, which quickly determines its position and raises its voice against right-wing extremism and racism. But these positions have not guaranteed democracy. For me, a policy of social justice is important. At a time when municipal funds are scarce, and Cologne also has low funding, a policy should be adopted that does not focus on secondary projects, but looks at the needs of the people, pursues social justice and a long-term policy that sees the demands of different people and fosters a strong community spirit.
I bring those qualities with me. I also have extensive experience in political leadership. I’ve served as a member of the state parliament for many years, elected directly in my constituency for the Green Party, and currently serve as the Deputy Speaker of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament. This political experience is vital for leading a city of millions. Leadership also means bringing people together, and I’ve worked toward that in my role as deputy speaker.
To what extent will that experience help prepare you for the role of mayor?
If you’re a politician like me, you don’t prepare in the traditional sense - you respond to events and developments as they come. The best preparation, as my father taught me, is to be brave, open, and willing to try new paths. You also need a strong inner compass and clear principles.
You mentioned being brave. What strategic project do you have in mind for the future of Cologne? That, too, requires courage.
There are many ideas, but what's most important is understanding that Cologne, like many German cities, has a limited budget. That’s a major challenge. We have to prioritize and focus on the most urgent projects, according to future plans, and decide which measures we can implement.
For me, the biggest issue is affordable housing. Many people can no longer afford to pay rent in the city. Students admitted to Cologne’s universities often cannot study here due to high rent. I must pay attention to this and try to address the matter and I have a plan. We need a social [housing] policy. That policy must be ready for projects in the public interest and cooperative housing initiatives, much like what Vienna implemented over a hundred years ago. We should implement this in a concrete way. One goal is to build housing specifically for students.
Another key issue is transportation. In light of climate change, we need to change the transport system. This means gradually reducing car use and improving public transportation - buses and trains must run reliably and on time. We also need to ensure that outer districts are better connected by bus routes. And for families and young people in the city, safe bike lanes are essential.
Cologne is already considered a green city. How do you plan to make it even greener? What specific initiatives do you have?
The Green Party has been shaping Cologne’s policies for ten years, and in the last election, we became the city’s strongest party. I have a vision to make Cologne the climate capital of Europe. We must continue working toward meeting the 2035 climate goals. That includes integrating climate standards into construction projects.
As we’ve seen, the climate crisis is already affecting our lives - this past March was the warmest on record in Cologne and across Europe. Some public spaces became unlivable due to the heat. I plan to plant 2,000 new trees in the city every year.
Berivan, you’re Kurdish. Thirteen years ago when I first met you, your Kurdish wasn’t very strong. Now it’s excellent - you have really impressed me. How did you learn?
I did not grow up speaking Kurdish fluently. I was born in North Kurdistan, in Cewlig [Bingol province in eastern Turkey] and came to Germany at the age of six. I started school early and mainly spoke German there. At home, we spoke a mix of Turkish and Kurdish. My Kurdish dialect is Zazaki, which isn’t as widely spoken.
Later, through my work in organizing and building the Kurdish community in Germany, I connected with many Kurmanji and Sorani speakers. My language skills were limited at first, but I’ve always wanted to learn the language properly. I love the Kurdish language and all its dialects. During the COVID lockdowns, I spent a lot of time listening to Kurdish music, I enjoyed it very much. This helped me expand my vocabulary and fluency.
No doubt, your Kurdish is now very good.
Thank you very much.
You mentioned music. During the exhausting election campaign period, when you want to relax or be alone, do you listen to Kurdish music? What kind of music do you enjoy?
For times of rest or on the road, I really like to listen to Kurdish songs. I put on my headphones and listen. Many of the musicians are musicians from my youth. From here, I send a warm greeting to Ciwan Haco. He is not only a friend from my youth, but a great artist, and I still listen to him today.
Indeed, I love Kurdish music and listen to it often. I’m especially happy to see talented young Kurdish musicians emerging on social media - some doing Kurdish hip-hop, others giving classical Dengbej music a modern twist. I often listen to Kurdish music when I travel or take breaks. Many of the musicians I listen to are from my youth. I’d like to send a warm greeting to Ciwan Haco - he’s not only an artist from my youth, but also a dear friend, and I still enjoy his music today.
Berivan, there are many Kurds in Germany, particularly in Cologne. They’re organized and active. What can they do to support you?
It’s not about what they can do for me - it’s about how they can engage in political life and civic participation. It’s important for them to stay informed about what’s happening in their neighborhoods - whether a new road is being built, a bike lane, a train station, or a playground. They should take advantage of the participatory processes available in Cologne.
The election is scheduled for September 14 and 800,000 people in Cologne are eligible to vote. I urge them to do so. Many of them have a Kurdish background or migration story. My message to Kurdish youth, especially those aged 16 or 17 voting for the first time, is: go to the polls and exercise your democratic right. I would be happy if, with their votes, for the first time in German history, a Green Party politician becomes mayor of a German city of millions, especially if that politician is someone Kurdistan-born.
That would be a source of pride for all of us. We wish you success. If you become Cologne’s mayor, how will you promote integration among people of different nationalities?
That’s already happening in Cologne. In neighborhoods like Mulheim, Kalk, and Keupstrabe, you can see the vibrant life of immigrant communities. I’m proud that, after the [National Socialist Underground] NSU attack on Keupstrabe, the community created a strong culture of remembrance through the “Birlikte” [Together] festival - an annual event that promotes coexistence. This festival annually commemorates that attack and is especially remembered as a cultural festival that says, "We all live together."
I believe Cologne’s strength lies in its conscious civil society. And the fact that a woman who once arrived as a child, not speaking the language, who sees the problems and opportunities of immigration, can now run for mayor - that shows what’s possible. If I can convey that message, we will have already achieved a great deal. I will also work actively against racism and strive to make Cologne a discrimination-free zone.
Speaking of racism - hostility toward immigrants and refugees is rising. How can you fight this?
On the one hand, it is the duty of the security agencies to monitor right-wing extremist organizations and to continuously investigate and act against them. I also strongly support urgently banning the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. We must not allow the enemies of democracy to use democratic means to spread propaganda against minorities. On the other hand, we need more meeting spaces where people from different cultures and backgrounds can come together, share their stories, and become part of society - regardless of their financial situation or where they come from. This kind of interaction helps reduce prejudice. We also need a strong civic stance against racism and discrimination. For me, it is especially important that diversity is reflected in the city administration. Promoting diversity within municipal structures is essential.
Cologne is a multicultural city and has become an important venue for Kurdish events. At this year’s Nowruz festival, over sixty thousand Kurds gathered in Cologne and celebrated peacefully. How can you encourage Kurds to participate more actively in the social and civic life of the city? And how can the artistic and cultural contributions of the Kurdish community be better supported and made more visible?
It’s truly fascinating that Kurds from different countries gather here. This community is one of the best-organized and strongest. When we saw that 10,000 people were expected for Nowruz, but 60,000 showed up, it clearly showed that Kurds feel Cologne is their home. I’m proud of that. I also want people from all countries - whether Ukraine, Kurdistan, or elsewhere - to see Cologne as their home and to be able to celebrate their cultural traditions here. That will be one of my priorities as mayor: to provide space for such celebrations. I want cultural diversity not only to be visible, but to be celebrated and further developed.
You come from a Kurdish family and are not of German origin. Yet here you are - as a woman, as a Kurd - running for mayor. How do you feel about being a candidate here, while in some other places Kurds still face obstacles even becoming a mayor?
Yes, I came to Germany as the child of a diplomat. Before the military coup, my father was supposed to be recalled - but he refused to let his identity be erased. We became a family in exile. But this is what democracy means. Democracy provides safety to those in need of protection. It looks not at where a person comes from, but at the work they do and the values they represent. It allows a woman with a Kurdish background to lead a city of millions. I know the value of this democracy, and that’s why I believe it must be defended - because even here in Germany, it is under threat.
I have another question about the Kurdish language. In most German states, it’s legally possible to study Kurdish. How can you help facilitate the study of Kurdish as a mother tongue, especially in schools?
The inclusion of Kurdish in school curricula is a matter of state policy, not municipal policy. However, it is the city’s responsibility to provide the necessary space. Often, space is the problem. So I ask: why are schools closed during holidays and after school hours? Why aren’t they used for civil and community purposes in the evenings? For example, young people could play in the schoolyards, or Kurdish lessons could be held by local initiatives. Our city should open the doors of its schools for these kinds of community uses.
A personal and final question. Your late father was himself a mayor in Turkey until 1977. Did his legacy influence your political path? If he were here today, what would he say about your candidacy?
My father was the youngest mayor in Turkish history. He was a brave and principled man who taught us - especially me - important values. These values were the reason I wanted to raise my voice and become politically active. Both he and my beloved mother always supported me.
I lost my father a year ago. He loved local politics, because he believed it is the field closest to the people. He always said that real politics is about staying close to the people and being honest. What he gave me, I now want to use. I am sure he is looking down on me with pride, and that his heart is full of joy.
I am proud to be among my party colleagues. Today, hundreds of people are walking the streets of Cologne, putting up my posters and working so that we can make history - for the first time, electing a woman with an immigrant background, and for the first time, a Green Party politician, as mayor of a city with millions of residents. I am now putting on my raincoat to be close to my base and distribute my posters with them.
