Potsdam chooses: Seven candidates fight for mayor's office!

Potsdam chooses: Seven candidates fight for mayor's office!

Potsdam, Deutschland - The election campaign for the mayor begins in Potsdam, and a lot is happening! On September 21, the citizens of the city will vote and thus decide on the new head of the city. Former SPD Mayor Mike Schubert, who was successful in the last election in the runoff election, was voted out and ensures a lot of conversation. Around 143,000 eligible voters are faced with the election and can choose between seven candidates who either nominate parties or compete as individual applicants. The election committee will decide on the approval of the applicants on Thursday, so that the election posters for the election campaign started. According to Mz , election manager Tolksdorf calculates with a high probability that a run-off will occur. This is necessary if no candidate can reach the absolute majority of 50 percent in the first ballot.

The political expert Werner Krause assesses the situation as extremely exciting. The SPD could harm the allegations of Schubert's term of office, which range from mismanagement and an infamous affair, the SPD. The Potsdam city is considered a stronghold of the SPD, since the fall of the wall it has continuously put the head of the city. Schubert was voted out by a citizens' decision in May, which underlines the mixed moods in the election campaign.

candidates at a glance

• Severin Fischer (SPD)
• Clemens Viehrig (CDU)
• Noosha Aubel (independent, supported by Greens/the other)
• Dirk Harder (independent, occurs for the left)
• Chaled-Uwe Said (AfD)
• Michael Richter (Free Voters)
• Alexander Dietmar Wietschel (the party)

Experience teaches that a high turnout is decisive. In 2018 this was 53 percent, but the trend was often significantly lower in the case of stab elections, below 40 percent. In the current situation, the question arises how well the parties can mobilize their voters because the election campaign falls into the summer vacation. The election takes place a year earlier than originally intended this year, which brings additional challenges for the candidates.

The importance of the turnout

General applies that a high turnout is of great importance. The turnout 2021 in the Bundestag election was 76.6%, which is a slight decline compared to previous years. According to Statista , recent studies show that older voters in particular, especially the more than 70-year-olds, take part in elections. It is unmistakable that the mobilization of young voters becomes all the more important, since the turnout under 20 years decreases compared to older age groups.

On September 21, it will be shown which of the candidates can win the trust of Potsdam voters and whether we can look forward to an exciting runoff election. It means keeping your fingers crossed and well informed to make your own voice effectively!