Hennis Herbst in the election campaign: door-to-door discussions for Greifswald's future!

Hennis Herbst in the election campaign: door-to-door discussions for Greifswald's future!

In the election campaign for the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hennis Herbst, 28 years old and an aspiring politician on the left, shows what it means to do politics right on the citizens' doorstep. Growing up near Stralsund, Herbst is a product of his time, shaped by his experience with guest students from all over the world and his early political involvement, which began in 2015 with the first Pegida demos in his hometown. “Politics must be close to people,” he emphasizes. That's why he's planning door-to-door conversations in Greifswald to talk to citizens about their worries and needs and to initiate changes.

He is not only a politician but also an academic mind. Herbst studied political science and public law at the University of Greifswald, where he left his mark as the first student vice-rector. He joined the Left in 2020 and has been committed to social justice ever since: “It is important to me to denounce distributive justice in our country,” he says, pointing out that the bottom 25% of the population has no assets or large debts, while the top 10% hold 60% of the wealth.

Political goals and challenges

At the moment, Herbst is focusing on the housing shortage in Greifswald. With 1,500 new students looking for affordable housing, the need for action is great. His call for a wealth tax aims to generate potential funds for municipalities. "We have to get the cost of living under control. People especially feel that rents and heating costs are a great injustice," continued Herbst.

His political path took him from the Greifswald citizenship, where he is now leader of a joint faction of the SPD and the Left, to the state chairmanship of the Left in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which he took over in 2024. He is only 28 years old, but has already held many political offices and recently ran for the Bundestag before running for the 2026 state election.

The need for more participation

With all his commitment, Herbst wants to get people excited about politics again. Political interest is often lower among young people than among adults, and voter turnout remains an issue. The political engagement of the younger generation has changed, particularly in recent years; many are looking for informal ways to express their opinions. Herbst has recognized that it is time to break down old structures and create new ways of participation.

“We have to strengthen social cohesion and bring democratic values ​​closer to young people in particular,” he explains. But it is a difficult path. Despite a high level of interest in social engagement, political activity in large organizations is declining, leaving the Left and other parties struggling to recruit younger members. “I want to give people the feeling that their voices count and that they are part of change,” concludes Herbst, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities ahead in politics.