Who will be the new town hall boss in Meißen? Voting enthusiasm at its peak!

Who will be the new town hall boss in Meißen? Voting enthusiasm at its peak!

A new mayor will be elected today, September 7, 2025, in the over 1,100-year-old city of Meißen. The polling stations are open until 6 p.m. and the tension in the city could hardly be higher. A total of 22,752 citizens eligible to vote, including Germans and EU citizens aged 18 and over, have the opportunity to cast their vote. The incumbent mayor Olaf Raschke, who has been at the helm of the city since 2004, is no longer running after more than 20 years. This sets the stage for a change.

Today's vote is seen as crucial; If none of the three candidates achieve the required absolute majority, a second round of voting is scheduled for September 28th. This election could not only shape the future of Meißen, but also have an impact on the entire region. MDR reports, that in a city whose citizens feel increasingly polarized, the outcome of this election will not be without conflict.

The candidates at a glance

Voters can choose between three men, all from Meißen or the region:

• Markus Renner (parteilos) – 45 Jahre alt, aus Karl-Marx-Stadt. Renner, der als bodenständiger Verwaltungsprofi gilt, hat sich mit einem Wahlprogramm positioniert, das intelligente Verkehrslösungen und eine Verbesserung der Stadtinfrastruktur vorsieht. Zudem plant er eine intensivere Zusammenarbeit mit der Polizei und mehr Stadtgrün. Er erhält Unterstützung von einer breiten Koalition, bestehend aus CDU, ULM/FBBM/FDP sowie SPD und Linken.
• Martin Bahrmann (FDP) – 38 Jahre alt und seit vielen Jahren als Stadtrat aktiv. Sein Programm setzt auf Bürgerfreundlichkeit, ohne Steuererhöhungen, und betont Maßnahmen gegen den Leerstand in der Stadt. Bahrmann wird teils als Spaßkandidat gesehen, was die Wahlberechtigten jedoch nicht davon abhalten dürfte, ihm zuzuhören.
• René Jurisch (parteilos, für die AfD) – 51 Jahre und Bauunternehmer aus Meißen. Jurisch bringt ein umstrittenes Wahlprogramm ein, das sich stark auf soziale Themen konzentriert, aber auch die Drogenproblematik adressiert. Seine Kandidatur sorgt für hitzige Auseinandersetzungen und Bedenken hinsichtlich einer möglichen Polarisierung der Stadt.

Although the candidates are characterized differently, the pressure on voters to make an informed decision is narrow-minded. Markus Renner is seen by many as the one who can lead the city in a positive direction, while at the same time citizens fear the potential consequences of the AfD's success. The last time has been characterized by heated discussions, both on social media and in personal conversations - the mood is tense.

What does this mean for Meissen?

The mayoral election is called the election of fate. With the structural change and changing demographics in the city, citizens want wise and calm leadership for the coming years. A possible result could not only influence the political situation in Meissen, but also the social mood, which is already very lively due to the discussions surrounding the candidates.

The upcoming election is not only a decision about future leadership, but also a sign of the responsibility of citizens. Given the AfD's past successes in neighboring cities, many citizens are concerned about the direction the city could take. The city administration has therefore also organized public election forums and dialogues to make voters aware of the impact of their decisions.

The preliminary result of this first round of elections is expected in the evening. Meißen, which is considered a symbol of tradition and cosmopolitanism, is at a crossroads - and its citizens are asked to choose their path.