Without a voice – Should non-Germans be allowed to vote in German elections?

Some 10 million non-citizens living in Germany are unable to vote. In Berlin, the number is even higher – 1 of every 5 residents. The voting exclusion in Germany extends to local issues, even though all residents – regardless of citizenship – are subject to the same taxes, fees and laws. Is it time to allow the growing number of non-citizens in Germany a say at the ballot box? Or would that spark a German identity crisis?

Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson talks to: 

Berta Del Ben, of Democracy for All, an initiative seeking to expand voting rights in Berlin and beyond; 

Adetoun Kueppers-Adebisi, of the Federal Conference of Migrant Organizations (BKMO), and president of the Black German culture, media and education archive AFROTAK; 

Jennifer Johnson, American political rights activist in Berlin and former head of the Women’s Caucus Chair for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Senior Producer Dina Elsayed and Nelson produced this episode.