Willo Göpel: CDU candidate for mayor election in Potsdam!

Willo Göpel: CDU candidate for mayor election in Potsdam!

The political landscape in Potsdam is faced with a change: Yesterday, the CDU nominated the city faction leader Willo Göpel as a candidate for the upcoming mayor election on September 21. At a board meeting, the decision was announced, which the party sees as an important step in order to offer a bourgeois alternative to the applicants on the left. Göpel, 62 years old and grew up in Berlin-Zehlendorf, has a far-reaching journalistic career, which includes stations at the German Press Agency and ZDF. He has also been a project developer in the real estate industry since 1998.

"Potsdam has to work again," emphasizes the candidate and announces that he wants to continue the proven policy of former Mayor Matthias Platzeck and Jörg Jakobs. In doing so, he criticizes the current political framework and practices sharp criticism of the SPD, which in his opinion does not show the ability to tear the rudder around in the city. In his eyes, it is crucial to communicate the truth about the city's financial situation transparently so that the citizens finally get a realistic picture of the situation.

background to the election

The mayor election is set against the background of the election of the former mayor Mike Schubert (SPD), who was elected by a citizens' decision in May 2025 by the Potsdamers. Over 52,000 eligible voters had participated, and with 36,228 votes in favor, the required quorum was exceeded to remove Schubert from the office. The citizens had raised their voice against him primarily because of the non -compliance with decisions and a bad working atmosphere in the administration. A crucial factor was the VIP ticket affair, which aroused additional distrust. Schubert had the opportunity to do without his office prematurely, but did not do so and ultimately put the decision in the hands of the voters.

With Göpel on the CDU list, the hope of the SPD will disappear for support for her candidate Severin Fischer, who is active as Secretary of State in Berlin. Fischer is also in conversation with a possible candidacy. Noosha Aubel, the former deputy for education, culture, youth and sport, has already announced its intention, as well as the nomination of chaled-Uwe Said by the AfD. The Greens also want to have non -partisan conversations to find a common candidate.

The way to the election

The official installation meeting for Göpel will take place on July 12th at 10 a.m. in the Leonardo-DA-Vinci comprehensive school. Interested citizens can hand over their votes for the candidates and have the opportunity to actively help shape the political direction of Potsdam. It is expected that the election on September 21 will not end with an absolute majority, so that a runoff election could occur on October 12th. Election proposals must be submitted by July 17, and all applicants without the current seat in a meeting need at least 112 supporter signatures to be approved for election.

The coming weeks and months promise exciting developments in Potsdam politics, which are persecuted by the citizens. And who knows, maybe the political events will soon set new accents.