'Aydan Ozoguz Is The New German Minster For Immigration, Refugees And Integration

20 Dec 2013

Aydan Özo?uz, the deputy leader of SPD (Germany’s Social Democrats), has been announced as Germany’s new State Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Integration, thereby becoming the first ever minister of Turkish-origin to make it to the Federal Cabinet of Germany.

Özo?uz is a second-generation Turk living in Germany and is trained as a linguist. On 5^th Dec, at a SPD conference, she received 89 per cent votes and was selected as one of 5 vice presidents of the party. Özo?uz also became the first foreigner and the first Turk to become a deputy leader of the SPD.

On 14^th Dec, the center-left SPD of Germany strongly approved the establishment of a ‘grand coalition’ government under Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Returning as the foreign minister will be Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Previously, she held this position under Merkel during her first term from 2005 to 2009. The SPD fulfilled its vow to fill half of their allotted Cabinet seats with women.

The super-ministry will be led by Gabriel, SDP leader and former Environment Minister who will direct Germany’s transition towards better use of renewable energy.

The firebrand of Left-wing and the SPD’s general secretary, Andrea Nahles is the Labor Minister while Manuela Schwesig, SPD’s vice-chairwoman and Barbara Hendricks, SPD Treasurer will take charge of Family Affairs and Environment Ministry respectively. Heiko Maas will head up the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Affairs.