Mayor Hendrik Sommer announces his retirement: Who will succeed him?

Mayor Hendrik Sommer announces his retirement: Who will succeed him?

The political landscape in Prenzlau is facing a change: Hendrik Sommer, the non-party mayor, has announced his withdrawal from the mayoral election on September 28, 2025. After almost 36 years of public service, 16 of which he served as city leader, Sommer's term of office, which officially ends on January 2, 2026, is coming to an end. During his term of office, Sommer was elected for the first time in September 2009 with 54 percent of the vote and was able to win the trust of citizens again in 2017 with over 84 percent. He assures that his decision is not the result of health or political reasons, but is simply a personal consideration that he views with joy and gratitude, as rbb24 reports.

Sommer, who is valued as the mayor in the region, also announced an interesting event: On July 3, 2024, he will host a real talk on the open-air stage in the Prenzlauer Seepark. This open discussion is aimed primarily at the younger citizens of the city and its districts in order to get into direct conversation. Those interested do not need to register in advance - an uncomplicated opportunity for everyone to get actively involved.

Candidates for successor

The search for Sommer's successor has already begun. Citizens can declare their candidacy until July 24, 2025 at 12 p.m. So far, Marek Wöller-Beetz from the CDU and Eve Guske have announced their ambitions and will run on election day. The citizens of Prenzlau can expect exciting election campaigns.

The next mayoral election comes at a time when local elections in Germany offer numerous options and regulations that vary depending on the federal state. Article 28 of the Basic Law requires a free and secret election in which all Union citizens residing in Germany are entitled to vote, as bpb highlights. As a rule, a mayor's term of office is between five and eight years.

With the impending withdrawal of Hendrik Sommer and the official announcements of the first candidates, it is clear that the political future of Prenzlau will be in focus in the coming months. The Real Talk and the upcoming elections not only offer citizens the opportunity to get involved, but also mark an important step in the city's political participation. The coming months promise an exciting phase for everyone who lives in Prenzlau, and the enthusiasm of the citizens is likely to be just as high as the interest in who will succeed the popular mayor.

For Sommer, this withdrawal marks a good end to a successful term in office, which he looks back on with pride. It remains to be seen how the political landscape will develop in the coming weeks and months.