Germany

Modupe Laja, a pioneering Afro-German rights advocate, has been awarded the Bavarian State Medal for Social Merit (Bayerische Staatsmedaille für soziale Verdienste). She was among sixteen distinguished recipients honoured on 3 April at a formal ceremony in Munich, where the medal was presented by Ulrike Scharf, Bavaria’s Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs. The medal, established in 1970 by …

The party leaders of the CDU, CSU and SPD presented the coalition agreement this week, outlining their plans for a joint government. One of the dominant topics is migration. Among other significant changes to the country’s migration policies, Germany’s incoming government, led by Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz of the CDU, intends to scale back recent liberalisations in citizenship law, tighten family …

In 2024, German administrative courts granted fewer asylum-seekers’ appeals against decisions by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). According to government data cited by the German news agency dpa, only 18% of appeals succeeded, down from 24.4% in 2023 and 36.5% in 2022. This decline in the success rate of appeals suggests an improvement in BAMF’s decision-making, potentially …

Like every month, April 2025 brings several important legal changes affecting people living in Germany. These include the recognition of three new occupational diseases, adjustments to colon cancer screening rules, a lower threshold for parental benefits and new travel regulations for the UK, among others. Here’s a summary of the key changes. Relaxation of Germany’s Debt Brake One of the …

As Germany’s coalition talks between the Union parties (CDU/CSU) and SPD progress, migrant advocacy groups are pushing for greater political representation. Thirteen national umbrella organisations have called for at least 25% of cabinet positions to be filled by people with migrant backgrounds, warning that without meaningful inclusion, policies remain “mere symbolism.” Beyond cabinet representation, the organisations demand a national action …

The closing event of the first UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) took place at the GLS Campus Berlin on Friday, 21 February. The event, which brought together German government officials, scholars, international guests and civil society organisations from the Black community, featured the presentation of the final report of the advisory board set up by the German …

On 21 March 2025, Germany will mark the conclusion of the first UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) with a celebratory closing event at the GLS Campus Berlin. The event, themed “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development,” will bring together civil society organizations, government representatives and members of the African, Afro-diasporic and Black communities to reflect …

Access to banking services is crucial for everyday life — whether for depositing and withdrawing money, making payments or receiving transfers. However, many African asylum-seekers and refugees in Germany struggle to open a bank account due to lack of proper information. What many do not know is that, by law, every person in Germany, including asylum-seekers, has the right to …

Berlin, 14 March 2025 – In observance of the International Day Against Racism, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the New German Organizations (neue deutsche organisationen, ndo) are hosting a panel discussion titled “Racism – Deportation Fantasies – Isolation: The Future of the Migration Society in Germany.” The event, which provides a platform to reflect on Germany’s current socio-political climate from …

Germany’s 2025 Bundestag election has once again highlighted the growing diversity in the country’s political landscape. According to a comprehensive report by Mediendienst Integration, 73 of the 630 MPs elected at the 23 February polls have immigrant backgrounds, making up approximately 11.6% of the parliament. This figure aligns closely with the 11.3% recorded in the 2021 elections, indicating a stabilisation …

Paulino José Miguel, a long-standing advocate for intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and migrant participation in Germany, has been awarded the Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz), one of the country’s highest civilian honours. The award recognizes Miguel’s decades-long commitment to fostering integration and development policy through his work at the Forum der Kulturen Stuttgart e.V. (Forum of Cultures Stuttgart). The prestigious …

A series of new laws and regulations impacting various aspects of life Germany take effect in March 2025. From higher minimum wages for temporary workers to new travel options and the start of daylight saving time, here’s a summary of the key changes and important dates in the new month to keep in mind: 1. Higher Health Insurance Contributions for …

The German federal election has triggered significant political shifts, with potential implications for migration policies in Germany and across Europe. Approximately 60 million Germans were eligible to vote for a new Bundestag, and with voter turnout surpassing 82% on Sunday, participation reached its highest level in decades, underscoring the nation’s heightened political engagement. — The centre-right CDU/CSU, led by Friedrich …

There were four Afro-German members in the immediate past Bundestag. Germany is gearing up for early election on Sunday, 23 February 2025, and something exciting is happening — the rise of candidates with African roots who are set to challenge the status quo! These dynamic, forward-thinking politicians are bringing fresh perspectives, bold ideas and a vision for a more inclusive …

On 23 February, German voters will choose a new government. Reducing immigration has emerged as the main issue in the current election campaign due to recent deadly terror acts that involved suspects with immigrant origins. Several parties have adopted the tough stances of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) on immigration in an attempt to tap into the perceived potential …

The Concerned Nigerians Kassel Germany e.V. has been awarded the prestigious Democracy Strengthener Award (“Demokratie-Verstärker”) by the city of Kassel in the category of “Peace and International Understanding.” This accolade, accompanied by a €1,000 prize, recognizes the association’s unwavering dedication to fostering diversity, tolerance and intercultural dialogue within the community. The Democracy Strengthener Award, under the patronage of Christoph Lübcke, …

Germany is set to hold early federal elections on Sunday 23 February, following the collapse of the coalition government formed by the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) in November 2024. A total of 29 parties have qualified to compete in the election, though only nine will be on the ballot nationwide. These include the CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, …

With less than two weeks to the federal election, former Member of the European Parliament, Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, warns of the danger of deep polarisation of society as a result of the instrumentalisation of the issue of migration. The first Afro-German politician to represent Germany in the European Parliament makes a case for a debate on migration that respects the …

Former Member of the European Parliament, Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, writes about the recent support of the far-right AfD for CDU-backed bills in the federal parliament—a development that has drawn widespread condemnation of the conservative party. The Green politician warns that sacrificing a key consensus in German politics for electoral gains could undermine fundamental democratic principles —— Political alliance of the …

The number of married people continues to fall in Germany. According to a new report by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), by the end of 2023, approximately 35 million individuals aged 18 and over were married, accounting for just over 50% of the adult population. This marks a significant decrease from 1993, when about 39.3 million adults, or 60% of …