Resignation shock in Falkenberg: Mayor Bawey gives up!

Resignation shock in Falkenberg: Mayor Bawey gives up!

The political waves are hitting high in Falkenberg/Elster. The honorary mayor Stephan Bawey from the Independent Voters' Association (UVK) announced his resignation on Friday, July 11, 2025. This decision was announced to the city councilors the day before and is causing great excitement in the region. What citizens now have to think about is the background to this step.

Bawey's resignation is primarily due to the fact that, in his opinion, the municipality of Liebenwerda is significantly hindering his work as mayor. This association municipality, which was created by the state of Brandenburg in 2020, includes the cities of Bad Liebenwerda, Falkenberg/Elster, Mühlberg/Elbe and Uebigau-Wahrenbrück. The problems in cooperation indicate that the administrative structure does not function optimally and that Falkenberg's concerns are not sufficiently acknowledged.

Changes in the council

The city of Falkenberg plans to discuss a possible withdrawal from the municipality at the next meeting. This could have far-reaching effects on the city's administrative independence. There is already speculation about the development, and many citizens are looking forward to the upcoming discussions, which are also seen by political actors as an opportunity to reshape local politics.

A new honorary mayor is expected to take office by the fourth quarter of 2025 at the latest. The position presents both challenges and opportunities for potential successors to lead the community with a breath of fresh air. In Brandenburg, the mayor's meetings are of great importance because the decision-makers not only represent their communities, but are also the bridge between the citizens and the administration.

A look at the mayoral election

The office of mayor in Brandenburg is clearly defined by a legal basis. Volunteer mayors are elected for five years, while full-time mayors are in office for a period of eight years. The tasks include, among other things, the management of the municipal council and representation in the official committee. According to Political Education Brandenburg, personal qualities such as decency, trustworthiness and proximity to citizens are particularly important for the office. Even if there is no specific professional training for mayors, there is a need for committed people who can build a strong connection with their community.

Overall, Bawey's resignation shows how important a functioning administrative structure is and how close cooperation must be between the communities and the municipality. Discussions in Falkenberg are likely to continue to grow in intensity as the city's citizens pay close attention to developments affecting their political landscape. It remains to be hoped that the political situation will clear up quickly and that the will of the people will come to the fore.

You can find more information about the resignation and current developments in the reports from Tagesschau and LR Online.