Willo Göpel: CDU candidate for mayoral election in Potsdam!

Willo Göpel: CDU candidate for mayoral election in Potsdam!

The political landscape in Potsdam is about to change: Yesterday the CDU nominated the city parliamentary group leader Willo Göpel as a candidate for the upcoming mayoral election on September 21st. The decision was announced at a board meeting, which the party sees as an important step in offering a middle-class alternative to the left-leaning candidates. Göpel, 62 years old and grew up in Berlin-Zehlendorf, has an extensive journalistic career behind him, which includes positions at the German Press Agency and ZDF. He has also been working as a project developer in the real estate industry since 1998.

“Potsdam has to function again,” emphasizes the candidate and announces that he wants to continue the tried and tested policies of the former mayors Matthias Platzeck and Jörg Jakobs. He criticizes the current political framework and sharply criticizes the SPD, which, in his opinion, does not show the ability to turn things around in the city. In his eyes, it is crucial to transparently communicate the truth about the city's financial situation so that citizens finally get a realistic picture of the situation.

Backgrounds for choice

The mayoral election is scheduled against the background of the deselection of the former mayor Mike Schubert (SPD), who was voted out by the people of Potsdam in a referendum in May 2025. Over 52,000 eligible voters took part, and 36,228 yes votes exceeded the quorum required to remove Schubert from office. Citizens raised their voices against him primarily because of non-compliance with decisions and a poor working atmosphere in the administration. A decisive factor was the VIP ticket affair, which aroused additional suspicion. Although Schubert had the opportunity to resign from office early, he did not do so and ultimately left the decision in the hands of the voters.

With Göpel on the CDU list, the SPD's hope of supporting its candidate Severin Fischer, who is active as economics state secretary in Berlin, will dwindle. Fischer is also discussing a possible candidacy. Noosha Aubel, the former deputy for education, culture, youth and sport, has already announced her intention, as has the nomination of Chaled-Uwe Said by the AfD. The Greens also want to hold non-partisan talks to find a common candidate.

The path to choice

The official assembly meeting for Göpel will take place on July 12th at 10 a.m. in the Leonardo da Vinci Comprehensive School. Interested citizens can cast their votes for the candidates and have the opportunity to actively shape Potsdam's political direction. The election on September 21 is not expected to end with an absolute majority, so there could be a runoff on October 12. Nominations must be submitted by July 17, and all applicants without a current assembly seat will need at least 112 signatures of support to be eligible to vote.

The coming weeks and months promise exciting developments in Potsdam politics, which citizens will follow with keen interest. And who knows, perhaps political events will soon set new trends.