New candidate for Potsdam mayor: Dirk Harder from Die Linke!

New candidate for Potsdam mayor: Dirk Harder from Die Linke!

On September 21, 2025 the time has come: Potsdam will elect a new mayor. After Mike Schubert (SPD) was voted out - a decision that was met with strong criticism of his leadership style and in connection with a corruption scandal - a race for successor is now beginning. Exciting times lie ahead with the election and it will become clear who can lead the city into the future.

A new candidate has entered the stage: Dirk Harder, independent, is to run for Die Linke. Harder was born in Potsdam in 1967 and brings a lot of experience with him. Before 1990 he was active in youth work, currently heads the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (Awo) Potsdam and sits on the city's youth welfare committee. The official nomination will take place on Saturday by the district association. But he is not the only one applying for the office: a total of five candidates and one female candidate are already in the race.

The competitors at a glance

Who are the other challengers? The SPD has nominated Severin Fischer, who, as State Secretary in Berlin, already has the ability to think outside the box, but has no direct connection to Potsdam. The CDU is sending Willo Göpel into the race, an experienced parliamentary group leader who sees himself as a bourgeois alternative. The AfD has also nominated a candidate, Chaled-Uwe Said, while Noosha Aubel, enjoying explicit support from the Greens, is running again as a non-party former representative for education and culture. Jörn Karlipp is the individual applicant. The application deadline ends on July 17th, which leaves little time for the parties to place their favorite candidates.

Important topics of the election

What makes the new mayor responsible? The challenges are enormous. Accusations of corruption, a tightened budget surplus and internal party disputes in the city parliament are on the list. In particular, education, affordable housing, social participation and a functioning administration are the central issues that are important to the people of Potsdam. In a city that has more than 190,000 inhabitants and is governed by a city council with representatives from twelve different parties, the right course is important.

The city's financial situation should not be underestimated. Around 30 million euros in new debt will be necessary for the years 2025 and 2026. In such an environment, creative solutions are needed - and that is what Potsdam voters could expect from their new mayor.

With this election, Potsdam will once again adjust its political direction. The local elections not only offer an opportunity for change, but also show how the German political system works. Voters here will overwhelmingly be willing to support smaller parties and citizens' initiatives, which could further strengthen diversity in the city parliament. If you look at the public discussion culture, it is clear: there is a lot in the air here and it remains exciting to see which topics and personalities will ultimately come out on top.

Voting for the election will take place on September 21st, and the people of Potsdam are called upon to use their vote to stand up for their city and its future. We can only hope that voters go to the polls well informed and motivated, because the trends in local elections show that there is still a lot of room for movement.

For further information about the candidates and the election itself, the relevant reports can be found here: RBB24, Merkur Online and Federal Agency for Civic Education.