Omid Nouripour

Omid Nouripour is a German politician serving as co-leader of Alliance 90/The Greens alongside Ricarda Lang since 2022. A member of the Bundestag since 2006, he represents the Frankfurt am Main I constituency and has held significant roles in the party's foreign policy and defense committees. His political career is marked by a focus on international relations, human rights, and security policy, shaped by his background as a refugee from Iran.

Early life and education

Omid Nouripour was born in Tehran, Iran, and fled with his family to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1988 due to political persecution during the Iran–Iraq War. The family settled in Kelkheim (Taunus) near Frankfurt am Main, where he attended the local Gymnasium. He later studied political science and law at the Goethe University Frankfurt, focusing on international relations and Middle Eastern studies. During his university years, he became actively involved in student politics and joined Alliance 90/The Greens, influenced by the party's stance on civil liberties and environmental protection.

Political career

Nouripour's political ascent began with his election to the Bundestag in the 2005 federal election, becoming one of the first German-Iranian members of parliament. He quickly gained prominence within the German parliament as a foreign policy expert, serving on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and later as his parliamentary group's spokesperson for security policy. He played a key role in debates concerning NATO engagements, the war in Afghanistan, and relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2022, following the transition of Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck into the federal government, he was elected co-leader of Alliance 90/The Greens at a party conference in Hanover, alongside Ricarda Lang.

Policy positions

Nouripour is known for his pragmatic and value-based foreign policy approach, advocating for a strong European Union and a robust transatlantic partnership with the United States. He has been a vocal critic of the Iranian government's human rights record and its nuclear program, while supporting diplomatic engagement. On security, he argues for a strengthened German military within a European defense framework and has supported arms deliveries to Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Domestically, he emphasizes climate action, digital modernization, and social integration, aligning with core principles of Alliance 90/The Greens.

Personal life

Omid Nouripour is married and lives in Frankfurt am Main. He holds German citizenship and is fluent in Persian, German, and English. An avid reader of history and political theory, he is also a dedicated fan of Eintracht Frankfurt, the city's premier Bundesliga football club. His biography as a refugee who became a national political leader is frequently cited in German discussions on migration and integration.

Publications

Nouripour is the author of several political books and numerous articles in German media. His publications include *"*Deutschland und der Iran: Perspektiven für eine neue Politik*"* (Germany and Iran: Perspectives for a New Policy), analyzing bilateral relations. He has also contributed essays to collections on European security and co-authored a book on the Greens' foreign policy vision titled *"*Verantwortung in einer unübersichtlichen Welt*"* (Responsibility in a Confusing World). His writings regularly appear in outlets like Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:German politicians of Iranian descent Category:Alliance 90/The Greens politicians Category:Members of the Bundestag