New hope for Potsdam: Severin Fischer as mayor candidate!

New hope for Potsdam: Severin Fischer as mayor candidate!

The Potsdam SPD has discovered a new source of hope for the upcoming mayoral election. Severin Fischer, the 41-year-old State Secretary in the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises, was nominated as the party's official mayoral candidate with 89.3% of the vote. This decision was made at a general meeting, which was met with great interest. Fischer received 100 yes votes, 8 no votes and 4 abstentions. The election will take place on September 21, 2025, and Fischer sees great opportunities to put the failed term of the voted-out Mike Schubert behind him.

Fischer, a Franconian native of Erlangen, has made a name for himself in the Berlin political world in recent years. After working in the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs from 2018 to 2021 and then serving as head of the Senate Chancellery under Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey, he has been working as State Secretary in the Senate Administration since April 2023. In his new role, he would like to put issues such as housing and social cohesion at the top of the agenda. “I want to turn good ideas into good policies,” he emphasizes. Fischer sees his external perspective as an advantage because he wants to bring a breath of fresh air into Potsdam politics. The deselection of Schubert, who came under criticism for mismanagement and an affair, necessitates a new direction.

The path to choice

Fischer's nomination is not just a sign of change; It also comes at a time when the Potsdam SPD is urgently looking for an unaffected candidate. After Mike Schubert was voted out, the question of who should be his successor was of great importance for the party. Discussions about Fischer's candidacy were confidential before the nomination. According to Thomas Bachmann, the SPD district leader, a joint candidacy with other parties was originally planned, but the voter group “Die Andere” ruled out supporting Fischer if he ran for the SPD.

However, Fischer will not be alone in the upcoming election. He has to assert himself against other applicants, including the AfD candidate Chaled-Uwe Said, Noosha Aubel as a non-party candidate, Willo Göpel from the CDU and some individual applicants. The outcome of the election will be decisive, not only for the SPD, but also for the political landscape in Potsdam.

Political challenges and goals

The challenges that could lie ahead for Fischer should not be underestimated. In recent years, Potsdam voters have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with politics, which culminated in Schubert's unsuccessful term in office. Fischer not only has to ensure the internal stability of the SPD, but also regain the trust of voters. In his previous positions he has been able to gain a wide range of experiences that could help him make the right decisions for Potsdam. His stance on housing and social cohesion could be well received by many voters, especially in times of rising living costs and scarce resources.

A successful mayor requires not only the approval of his party, but also broad support among the population. The questions that many are asking themselves: Will Severin Fischer manage to convince voters? Can he implement his plans and will he succeed in steering Potsdam in a positive direction? September 21, 2025 will show whether Fischer has what it takes to become mayor.

The next few months until the election will be exciting and crucial, both for Severin Fischer and for the citizens of Potsdam. Now it's time to keep your eyes open and follow developments closely!

(For more information on Fischer's nomination, see n-tv and a detailed analysis of his candidacy maz online. Information about the last mayoral election can be found on the City of Potsdam website potsdam.de.