Immigrant access to local politics in Amsterdam and Paris

This contribution investigates immigrants' access to elected office in two different political contexts: Amsterdam and Paris. I look at the socio-demographic background and at the political experiences of immigrant councillors and explore what may have favoured their careers. I further consider the role of the electoral and political context in facilitating immigrants' access to politics. This context plays an important role in immigrants' rate of access to politics, but similarities exist in their pre-electoral experience.