Election of the Migration Advisory Board in Munich postponed to November 2026!

Election of the Migration Advisory Board in Munich postponed to November 2026!

In Munich, the postponement of the election of the Migration Advisory Board is causing a lot of excitement. Instead of the local elections on March 8, 2026 as planned, the election of the Migration Advisory Board will now be postponed to November 22, 2026. This decision made by the city council is not only a logistical challenge, but also a political turning point. The Migration Advisory Board itself, which only achieved a voter turnout of a meager 3.1% in 2023, is outraged by the decision. Klara Schinnerl and other members criticize that this could make the voice of migrants less important, while Andrei Yagoubov warns that the advisory board could lose its democratic legitimacy. After all, almost half of Munich's population has a migration background.

The decision to decouple has financial reasons. The city administration and city council estimate the costs of holding the elections at the same time at around 911,000 euros, while the postponement could save around 570,000 euros. Micky Wenngatz, city councilor for the SPD, argues that separate elections are necessary for legal reasons and that the additional costs would be significant. Nevertheless, the question remains as to how the growing inequality for migrants in political participation will develop.

Political participation and its meaning

Political participation is an essential part of the integration of migrants in Germany. Around 10% of the 82.2 million people in Germany do not have German citizenship, and there is a trend towards exclusion. Although migrants from EU countries have the opportunity to take part in local elections, third-country nationals lack access to the political system. They are largely excluded from local, state and federal elections. This inequality is perceived as a “democratic deficit” and results in intense debates about political participation.

Why is this so important for Munich? Around 200,000 people live in the Bavarian capital and are affected by the postponement of the election of the Migration Advisory Board. The role of integration advisory boards becomes more relevant in this context. In comparison to foreigners' advisory councils, which often only have an advisory function, these committees have their own decision-making powers and are more closely involved in political processes. But here too, challenges such as language barriers or a lack of political experience are often the order of the day.

outlook

The discussion about the political rights of migrants has also progressed in other European countries. The pioneers include Sweden and Denmark, where third-country nationals are allowed to vote at local level. Germany is one of the few countries that has not yet taken this step. In view of the current developments in this country, the question arises as to whether and when a rethink will also take place here.

So the issue is ongoing, and Marie doesn't take any shortcuts. As a city with a high proportion of migrants, Munich must ensure more than ever that the voices of all citizens are heard. The Migration Advisory Board could play a key role here, but this also requires the appropriate political framework.