Raschke says goodbye: 21 years as mayor of Meißen!

Raschke says goodbye: 21 years as mayor of Meißen!

A striking chapter in Germany's history ends: Olaf Raschke will be farewelled as Mayor of Meißen today, October 28, 2025. After 21 years in office, a time marked by numerous social and technological changes, he is taking a step into the next phase of his life. He took his oath of office on October 28, 2004, at a time when Germany was still preparing for the 2006 World Cup and Gerhard Schröder reigned as chancellor before Angela Merkel took over.  Saxon reports that at 62, Raschke was a prominent figure in the city with a variety of challenges: from the rise of social media and smartphones to crises such as the financial and refugee crises.

In the last two decades, not only Meißen, but the whole of Germany has changed. There were five Olympic Games, five World Cups and five European Championships during his term of office. Social changes were also inevitable: around 6.8 million children have been born in Germany since he took office, while around 9 million people have died. This reflects part of the dynamic development of the population, which rose to around 83.5 million through immigration.

Who was Olaf Raschke?

Olaf Raschke, whose name is now linked to an important period of municipal history in Meißen, has led the city through numerous ups and downs in recent years. His term in office was marked by global events, from the coronavirus pandemic to the Ukraine conflict that began in 2022. Such difficult challenges required a good hand and a clear vision, qualities that Raschke has been able to demonstrate over the years.

These developments and its consistency not only shaped Meißen, but also stimulated the entire country to think. The role of the mayor in Germany entails a high level of responsibility, which varies depending on the population and urban status. The city of Meissen has grown in importance under his leadership and has always been a place of exchange and innovation.

A look at the list of mayors shows how important these offices are for regional and national developments. The regulations regarding office titles vary between federal states, and in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, the SPD is the strongest political force with 41 representatives, followed by the CDU/CSU with 21 and other parties. Only some cities, such as Neuss in North Rhine-Westphalia, do not have a mayor. This information is prepared in it:

Olaf Raschke's 21 years in office were not only a personal but also a collective history in Meißen. An unforgettable trip of changes that encompassed both local and global dimensions.