Flensburg's Noosha Aubel: Ambitions for Potsdam's mayoralty!

Flensburg's Noosha Aubel: Ambitions for Potsdam's mayoralty!

Noosha Aubel, the current head of education in Flensburg, has expressed her interest in the mayoral election in Potsdam. At the age of 49, she is aiming to return to her old homeland in order to, according to [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/flensburger-dezernentin-will-oberbuergermeisterin-in-potsdam- Werden,regionflensburgnews-152.html), “develop the highest level of municipal impact”. Aubel worked in Potsdam from 2017 to 2024 and gained valuable experience during this time.

The election will take place in September 2025, and the former Potsdam administrative head intends to continue to fulfill her duties in Flensburg until the election. If the election is successful, she could become the first woman in office since Brunhilde Hanke. Her candidacy, which she announced in an email to the factions in the Flensburg local parliament, is intended primarily to further develop Potsdam together with the citizens. Aubel underlines the importance of trust in local politics as well as the need for experience and leadership skills, as Tagesspiegel reports.

Candidacy and support

The independent Aubel, who has over 20 years of experience in local government, is supported by the Greens and the Die Andere party, which could strengthen her position in the election campaign. Their goals include equal opportunities, high-quality education, affordable housing and social participation. During the election campaign she will also have to compete with candidates such as AfD candidate Chaled-Uwe Said and Severin Fischer from the SPD. The application deadline for candidacy is July 17th.

However, there are also critical voices. Her quick return to Potsdam is seen by the SPD as an expression of interest in her career. Nevertheless, the Greens emphasize their leadership experience and their non-partisan stance. Her decision to run for office again could also be seen as a response to the deselection of former mayor Mike Schubert, who, according to [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/flensburger-dezernentin-will-oberbuergermeisterin-in-potsdam- Werden,regionflensburgnews-152.html), has asked numerous cultural institutions and sports clubs to return.

Local elections in Potsdam

Aubel's candidacy comes as Potsdam prepares for the upcoming local elections. At the last meeting of the election committee, 567 candidates were approved for the city council, which represents an increase compared to 2019. They are competing for 56 seats, while 127 candidates are running for 55 seats on the nine local councils. There are a total of 694 applicants, some of whom are applying for both committees, as can be found on the official city website.

The election campaign promises to be exciting. Aubel's candidacy could bring a breath of fresh air to Potsdam politics and inspire voters with a new focus on community design. In September 2025, Potsdam will know whether it will be able to elect its first female leader in many years in the city's history. Until then, Aubel will work hard on her election program and deal with the challenges that her political opponents and the electorate will pose.