Farewell at the top: Mayor Raschke is leaving after 21 years!

Farewell at the top: Mayor Raschke is leaving after 21 years!

October 27, 2025 was a magnificent day for the city of Meißen, as the long-time mayor Olaf Raschke was bid farewell in a venerable setting. After 21 years in office, he has decided not to run again in the upcoming mayoral election in September. The farewell took place in the wine experience world of the Meissen winery cooperative, where around 140 guests gathered to toast his successes. Those present included inactive and active mayors, city councilors, entrepreneurs and long-time friends, and his successor Markus Renner was also represented.

Olaf Raschke, who was first elected mayor in 2004 and has achieved remarkable results such as 81.1 percent of the vote in 2011 and a narrow election victory in 2018, began his special day with a surprise: the Meißen fire department picked him up from home at 9 a.m. However, Raschke, who has sat in large excavators and gritting vehicles during his time in office, has never been in a fire engine, which made this moment special. And not only the fire brigade, but also the many gifts he received that day - especially wine as a popular souvenir - made his farewell unforgettable for him.

Looking back on a career

Numerous companions recalled Raschke's impressive career in their speeches. Petra Hannß, the former head of the audit office, talked about its highlights and challenges. Before his election, Raschke even set up a barbecue stand in front of the pharmacy on the market during the election campaign, which not only underlined his proximity to the citizens, but also enabled him to have direct contact with the voters. He was elected in the first round and the late city councilor Heinz Gleisberg administered the oath of office to him. Now, at 62 and coming from Görlitz, Raschke would like to pass on the baton and is expecting numerous interested parties for his position.

The announcement of his resignation from the city council came as a surprise to many, but Raschke emphasizes the shared successes that he has achieved with citizens and the city hall team in recent years. He always showed a keen eye for the city's needs and mastered the many construction sites with flying colors.

The office of the mayor

For readers who may not be familiar with the title of mayor, it should be noted that in Germany this is an official title for city leaders that is used particularly in large and independent cities. Unlike in Austria or Switzerland, where similar functions are named completely differently, the mayor in Germany remains a symbolic and responsible office. In our region, and especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, this function is particularly important, as mayors are only represented in independent cities.

Raschke's withdrawal is of great importance not only for Meißen, but also for the political landscape in the surrounding area. Citizens can look forward to a new wind and fresh ideas that will lead the city into the future. It remains to be seen whether his successor will successfully continue the trail that Raschke leaves behind with new challenges. One thing is certain, however: the 21 years under Olaf Raschke will go down in Meissen's history books, and it's not just the wine that will create a lasting memory for this special occasion.