• In addition to the local elections, elections to the Integration Council will also be held on September 14. Call for votes and direct participation.
• The Integration Council consists of members with an international family history, who are directly elected, and members of the City Council.
• Digital information event on June 25 about membership and candidacy as well as the election and political work of the Integration Council

On September 14, 2025, both the local elections and the elections for the Integration Council will take place in North Rhine-Westphalia. For Aacheners with an international family history, this is an important opportunity to actively shape the future of our city and bring their concerns into city politics. For Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen, it is crucial that many people take advantage of this opportunity: "Voting is participation. Use your vote to ensure strong representation of interests in the Integration Council!"

Voter participation is not only important for the representation of one's own interests, every vote counts for the city society as a whole. "Voting strengthens democratic participation and promotes respectful coexistence," emphasizes Rolf Frankenberger, Head of the Housing, Social Affairs and Integration Department of the City of Aachen.

The Integration Council consists of members with an international family history, who are directly elected, and members of the City Council. The elected members are the majority. The Integration Council works on important issues such as education, work, social participation, against racism, for equal opportunities and for the integration of new immigrants.

Acting Chairman Ralf Demmer and his representatives Julia Rejf and Baran Yenen are also calling on all Aachen residents with an international family history to vote. However, the three members are not only encouraging people to vote, but above all to get directly involved in the Integration Council. "It is important that many people declare their willingness to help shape things. For some people, this is the only way to get involved in politics," says Demmer and calls for a broad-based Integration Council in which "many currents are represented. We have over 160 nations in Aachen. I would like to see greater diversity from many nations, different religions and political groups." Julia Rejf also calls for more diversity: "We need to get younger, get a fresh perspective. And it's important that we also think equally. We want to encourage women with a history of migration who are socially active in Aachen, who do voluntary work, to also run for the Integration Council. We need young women."

For Baran Yenen, ensuring that the concerns of people with a migration background are visible, heard, understood and represented is at the heart of the work of the Integration Council. "And it is the ideal opportunity - elected by people who are affected themselves - to take up problems and make them visible in the political arena. We want to make real policies that represent people who don't feel seen and feel left alone."

All three agree that both participation in the council and going to the ballot box should be seized as an opportunity. "We are calling for this: Go and vote! Take the opportunity to have your voice heard," says Rejf.

The proportion of eligible voters has increased enormously in recent elections. Almost a quarter of those eligible to vote in local elections are also entitled to vote for the Integration Council. People who have lived in Germany for a long time and have been integrated for a long time will also receive a corresponding notification. "You shouldn't be surprised or irritated, but see it as an opportunity to exercise your right to vote in both elections and help shape them," says Demmer.

Who can vote and who can stand for election?

All people with an international family history who live in Aachen have the right to vote in the Integration Council elections. In addition, all eligible voters can also stand for election themselves and become a member of the Integration Council. This gives them the opportunity to have a direct say and actively shape the development of our city.

Who can vote?

Those entitled to vote include:

• Foreigners with a settlement or residence permit
• All EU citizens
• German, with other nationality
• Naturalized persons in Germany
• Children of foreign parents who have become German by birth
• Resettlers
• Stateless persons
• Refugees with recognition as beneficiaries of protection

Requirements on election day:

• Minimum age 16 years,
• Living in Germany for at least one year,
• Registered with main residence in Aachen since August 29, 2025.

Your participation is needed - Digital information event of the Aachen Integration Council

How to become a member of the Integration Council and stand for election will be explained in a digital information event organized by the Integration Council.

A digital information event will be held for all interested parties on 25.06.2025 with the acting chairman of the Integration Council of the City of Aachen and two of his deputies.

The focus is on answering questions about membership and candidacy in the Integration Council. There is also important information about the election and the political work of the Integration Council - low-threshold, multilingual and open to all questions.

Date: 25.06.2025

Time: 5 pm

Participation link: https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/66169633717?pwd=GmOGWWGD1W4l4YhhX7qqKVxTBsWmjf.1

Meeting ID: 661 6963 3717

Identification code: 173484

Anyone can take part. Registration is not required.

All citizens with an international family history are cordially invited to find out more, join in the discussion - and stand for election or vote.

Because only those who get involved can help shape the future.

Further information on the election and the work of the Integration Council can be found at: www.aachen.de/integrationsrat 

Additional information can be obtained from the office of the Integration Council at the e-mail address: integrationsrat@mail.aachen.de and by telephone on 0241 - 432 56602