Rüting elects new mayor: Rico Gindler takes over after Hinze's death

Rüting elects new mayor: Rico Gindler takes over after Hinze's death

On November 2, 2025, the municipality of Rüting in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was in focus when it elected a new mayor. In an early election, the 454 citizens eligible to vote were called upon to cast their votes. The reason for the new election was the sad death of long-time mayor Holger Hinze, who died in May 2023. Hinze had been at the helm of the community since 1994 and was also a teacher at the “Carl Orff” district music school, which was founded 35 years ago.

The result of the election, which had a turnout of around 62 percent, was clear: Rico Gindler from the CDU received 196 yes votes and was therefore elected as the new mayor. His challenger, Andreas Böhm, who ran as an individual candidate, won 80 votes. Gindler, a qualified mechanical engineer, now faces major challenges, such as the planned replacement building for the fire station and community center.

The background to Rüting

Rüting is a small but beautiful community in the Nordwestmecklenburg district and belongs to the Grevesmühlen-Land district. The geographical coordinates of the municipality are 53° 48′ N, 11° 13′ E. With an area of ​​15.16 km² and a population of 542 inhabitants (as of December 31, 2024), Rüting has a population density of 36 inhabitants per km². The community is located in the picturesque valley of the Stepenitz River, just 9 km south of Grevesmühlen and 20 km northwest of Schwerin. You will not only find wonderful nature here, but also a variety of historical buildings such as the listed watermill, which was in operation until the middle of the 20th century.

Particularly charming is Diedrichshagen, a district of Rüting, which scores with its neo-Gothic village church and the original farming village charm. Transport is well connected via the A 20, which ensures quick accessibility and makes the community attractive for commuters.

Political news in the region

The next mayor will be elected in the neighboring town of Dassow, where voters can choose between Kerstin Weiss from the SPD and Florian Müller from the Ostseestrand voters' community. This shows that there is still movement in political events in the region.

The coming months will show how the challenges for the new mayor Rico Gindler develop and what plans he is making for the future of Rüting. One thing is certain: the citizens of this small community are looking forward to new perspectives and the positive development of their homeland.