London residents recently took a big step electing Sadiq Khan of the Labour Party to be Mayor of their city after a reportedly bitter campaign where allegations were made up and consistent rumors were spread about Khan.

According to the BBC, Khan’s election ends eight years of Conservative power in the city of London. Khan’s family immigrated to London from Pakistan and Sadiq was born and raised in the district of Tooting in South London. He became a human rights lawyer and later worked his way into several government posts and was elected to political office. Safety and terrorism have been top of mind for many Europeans with the attacks in France and Belgium and the issue of many Europeans going to fight for ISIS, and this may represent a turning point. Khan’s platform includes freezing transportation fares, building affordable housing and doing things that will help the middle and working class. Many have pointed to this election as a show of tolerance in Europe and people who were interviewed after the final tally showed excitement at the idea of Khan being Mayor of London.

Europe is having an existential moment as it deals with Syrian refugees fleeing the war zone, shifts in its population demographics and cultural clashes between old and new residents. Right wing parties continue to push their platform of isolation and restriction and in many countries are gaining momentum. London’s election of its newest Mayor seems to push back against that trend.