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  Letter from Berlin: A Turk at the Top

Letter from Berlin A Turk at the Top

By Michael Giglio

Part 2: 'The Fact I Have a Turkish Name Obviously Is a Message in Itself'

Even in his current capacity, Özdemir's roots have been used against him. Supporting Turkey's admission to the European Union brought doubts about his motivations from some, for example, while criticizing Ankara's human rights record had led others to label him as a traitor. Özdemir calls it being "German inside the Turkish community and Turkish inside the German community," and he believes it lends him credibility.

Yet he has worked to keep ethnicity in the background of late. On sensitive issues like education, where students with migrant backgrounds struggle mightily to keep up, Özdemir has repeatedly stressed class over race. He plans to make education reform a signature issue for the Greens under his watch.

"If you look to my public statements since I decided to run for party leadership, it's not a coincidence that I not only focus on immigration and integration issues but also put education at the forefront, not to forget environmental and social questions and, of course, foreign policy. It's important that people understand that if this is going to be a party leader, then he's got to be able to address different topics in a qualified and convincing matter," says Özdemir.

"The second message comes with the first. Just the very fact that I have a Turkish name obviously is a message in itself."

During his stint in the Bundestag, Özdemir worked to reach out to other minority groups. He believes he made some gains, in part because even those who don't share his views often feel invested in his career. As he tried to order his drink at the bar in Berlin, an African man emerged from the crowd and all but embraced him. Connecting with new voters could pay dividends for the Greens in next September's elections, which are expected to be extremely close.

"The number of German voters with migrant backgrounds is increasing -- not only Turks, but other communities as well. I don't see a reason to give that piece of the cake to other parties," Özdemir says. "It makes a difference whether you have them or you don't. But I don't want to limit myself to them."

To accomplish his next feat, then, he must continue the delicate balancing act between his German and Turkish identities. As long as the two can't be considered one and the same, it might be his only choice.

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