Seven candidates are fighting for the mayoralty of Potsdam!

Seven candidates are fighting for the mayoralty of Potsdam!

An early mayoral election will take place in Potsdam on September 21st and the cards have been reshuffled. After the former SPD mayor Mike Schubert was voted out, which was initiated by the referendum due to massive criticism, there are now seven candidates on the ballot. The electoral committee has confirmed the candidacies, including six men and one woman, which provides a breath of fresh air in the political landscape. Loud Daily Mirror The order of the candidates is as follows:

• Severin Fischer (SPD, Berlin)
• Clemens Viehrig (CDU, Potsdam)
• Chaled-Uwe Said (AfD)
• Dirk Harder (Die Linke)
• Michael Reichert (BVB/Freie Wähler)
• Alexander Wietschel (die Partei)
• Noosha Aubel (Einzelvorschlag, Flensburg)

The past of Schubert, who took office in October 2018 and should have remained in office until autumn 2026, was heavily criticized in a referendum. In the vote on May 25, 2025, in which around 52,000 Potsdam residents who were eligible to vote took part, 36,228 voters voted for the deselection, which exceeded the required number of 35,764 yes votes.<>The reasons for this decision are probably also non-compliance with city resolutions, a poor working atmosphere and the VIP ticket affair, in which Schubert received free tickets from sports clubs had adopted, could have been crucial. This affair led to a deep loss of trust in his administration. Even though the public prosecutor's office closed the investigation due to taking advantage, the shadow of these allegations remains. ( MAZ )

Eligible voters and voting process

With around 143,000 eligible voters who will receive their voting notifications from August 11th, the people of Potsdam are faced with a crucial decision. From this date, postal voting documents can also be requested, giving even more citizens the opportunity to cast their vote. Election posters will be visible around the city starting Monday to make voters aware of the upcoming candidates.

The election is given a special touch by the possibility of a runoff election, which, if necessary, will take place on October 12th. This type of election shows how important local elections are and the role they play in the German political system, where mayors are directly elected in many federal states. ( bpb )

The upcoming elections are certainly of local interest and could have a lasting impact on the political fate of Potsdam. As citizens prepare for the election, it remains to be seen what direction city politics will take. A good deal for everyone who wants to actively participate in local democracy!