Potsdam votes: Four candidates are fighting for the mayor's office!

Potsdam votes: Four candidates are fighting for the mayor's office!

The political landscape in Potsdam is changing noticeably as the city prepares for the mayoral election on September 21, 2025. After the deselection of former SPD mayor Mike Schubert in May, who was criticized for mismanagement and an affair over free tickets, several candidates now appear to be entering the ring for the post. A referendum stripped Schubert of his mandate, clearing the stage for new political faces. Potsdam is expected to have at least four applicants for the election, including prominent names and new faces.

The CDU unanimously chose Willo Göpel, the parliamentary group leader in the city parliament, who is a passionate supporter of bourgeois politics. Göpel, born in Berlin-Zehlendorf in 1963, is convinced: “Potsdam must function again.” His candidacy represents the desire for an alternative to the established, politically left-wing candidates and the intention to continue the policies of his predecessors, such as Dietmar Woidke and Jörg Vogelsänger. He studied history at various universities and has extensive experience from his time as a journalist and project developer.

Candidates and political tendencies

On the other side of the political spectrum, the AfD has nominated Chaled-Uwe Said, leader of the AfD city faction, as its candidate. Quite unique is the candidacy of Noosha Aubel, a non-partisan candidate and former education representative who has also announced her ambitions. The non-partisan option could be attractive to voters who long for alternatives to traditional party politics.

Another potential candidate is Severin Fischer, the Berlin State Secretary for Economic Affairs, whose talks with the SPD are apparently already well advanced. A party conference of the SPD Potsdam is scheduled for July 5th, where his official candidacy could be decided. This suggests that the SPD is relying on fresh, dynamic approaches to reposition itself after Schubert's election. The Greens, on the other hand, are currently examining the possibility of a non-partisan candidacy.

Electoral process and voter base

Around 143,000 eligible voters in Potsdam are called to cast their votes in the election on September 21st. The heart of the process is the deadline for submitting nominations, which ends on July 17th. Anyone without a current seat in the city council or state parliament who wants to take part needs at least 112 supporting signatures. If no candidate achieves an absolute majority of 50 percent in the first round of voting, the runoff election will take place on October 12th to determine a clear winner.

Mayor Burkhard Exner will manage the business in the transition period until the next mayor takes office. The coming months promise excitement and lively political exchange as Potsdam prepares for a crucial election that could significantly influence the direction of city politics. Further information about the election can be found on the official city website potsdam.de to find.