Shahabuddin Miah 1st Bangladeshi in German Parliament polls

Shahabuddin Miah with his election campaign material.

Interview with Monowara Begum Moni

Shahabuddin Miah, born in Madaripur, Bangladeshi in 1956, is contesting as a Green Party candidate for the forthcoming German election, which is going to be held on 26 September next.

He is first Bangladeshi in Germany who has been trying to be in German Parliament.

As a Climate activist he has been conscious about the state of world environment. During the interview, he referred repeatedly to his homeland, Bangladesh. He feels the urgency for a sustainable climate politics. Mr. Shahabuddin Miah said that Germany is very much concerned about world climate changes. He likes to upgrade the existing climate change action policy with modern technology. 

After the Fukushima Nuclear accident in 2011, Green party has got a strong position in CDU conservative areas Southwest Germany.

Joschka Fischer, German political activist and politician in the 1990s led the Green Party of Germany  (Die Grünen) into the government. He served as foreign minister and vice-chancellor (1998–2005) of  Germany . Germany, Austria are very much aware about global climate politics. Since 2016, Austria has a Green Party President Alexander Van der Bellen. Their efforts can make Europe greener.

Shahabuddin Miah with his Green Party colleagues

Q. Why are you contesting for German election, though you failed in the last election of 2017? 

A: I was a candidate for the Bundestag in 2017, but I wasn’t prepared enough at that time. Everyone needs a certain amount of time to prepare. Now I have prepared myself to the point that I have the hope of getting into the Bundestag.

Q. Was it very easy to be a German parliament election candidate?

A. No, this time was very difficult. But I was successful.

Q. Why do you get the membership in Green Party, rather than other parties? Was it easy for you to join in a political party as a foreigner in Germany?

A: Alliance 90 / the Greens always work for climate protection and migration law. So, I decided to join the Greens. Joining the party is easy. But you have to prove your German language skill.

Q. what are the problems you have to confront for the candidacy?

A: This time our chances look very good. So, some wanted to be a candidate. It was very difficult to get through.

Q. How does your migration background affect your candidacy?

A: I wasn’t born here. Therefore, the announcement was very important for me. After the last election in 2017, I tried that at the end and was successful.

Q. Where do you get the courage to integrate yourself as a Bangladeshi in German politics?

A: It started this at the university when I was still studying.

Q. Do you believe that with your political career you can also support your homeland Bangladesh?

A: Yes, of course. I will sit down with the politicians and entrepreneurs of Bangladesh in many areas and try to achieve something in the area of environmental protection.

Q. Was it easy for you to join a political party as a foreigner in Germany?

A: It wasn’t a problem. But you had to prove a lot of skills.

Q. What was the disability?

A: Politics takes a lot of time and knowledge. You also have to know the local society well.

Q. What would you do if you win the election?

A: We will take all steps so that we can avert the climate catastrophe. To do this, switch off all coal-fired power plants by 2030. Massively expand renewable energies such as wind turbines and solar technology. I will also try to create a modern immigration law with my party.

Q. Are you getting support from your Bangladeshi people living in Germany

A: Yes, but many of them don’t know about the election in Germany. We will therefore use social media even more intensely and in a more diverse way.

Moni: Wish you a big success!