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Advocates announce team for instigating political transformation in GL
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After a much-needed break, the local wing of The Left in Bergisch Gladbach is back, fielding candidates for Mayor, District Administrator, and all electoral districts. Brought to you by The Left Bergisch Gladbach
Last Sunday (15.06.2025), The Left Bergisch Gladbach finalized their reserve list for the 2025 local election - sending a strong message for a new political dawn.
"Together, diverse, and resolute," explains Conny Swillus-Knöchel, spokesperson for the local wing of The Left and candidate for District Administrator. "With this list, we march into the election campaign with confidence. We aim to be a social, ecological, and anti-fascist voice in the city council - a voice that has been absent for the past five years."
The list blends seasoned members and many young faces, all working together to bring about real political change in Bergisch Gladbach. From social policy to affordable housing, fair transit solutions, climate change, and livable wages - The Left is pushing for tangible improvements in the city. They stand for clear agendas, real engagement, democracy, and the diversity of the local community. Every voice matters, every person counts.
Top candidate is Mara Häuser (29). After Aylin Aydogan as Mayoral candidate, the party makes another clear statement of renewal. Mara Häuser has a degree in middle-class management and works in consulting. Her focus areas are strong youth policy, equality, and increasing self-determination through grassroots and community-oriented structures.
Second place went to Tomás M. Santillán (60) - a recognizable local politician who is passionate about more affordable housing in the city. The peace activist represented The Left in the city council until 2020.
Third place is occupied by hotel management student Lea Vollmer (26). As a single mother, she performs unpaid care work for her child. Her focuses are social justice, true inclusion, comprehensive barrier-free accessibility, and eco-friendly expansion of transportation - ensuring nobody is left behind.
Fourth place went to Florian Eßer (21). The trainee industrial clerk has been a fierce advocate for The Left since the national election. As co-founder and spokesperson of the local youth wing, he aims to bring positive changes for all citizens of Bergisch Gladbach.
Fifth place is occupied by the left mayoral candidate Aylin Aydogan (34). The local resident with degrees in economics and medical management works in public service. Her political focuses are social, educational, and climate policy. As a young woman with an international background, she brings an underrepresented perspective to city politics.
The reserve list of The Left for the city council
Boosted by the success of the Bundestag election results in the Bergisches Land and significantly rising poll numbers, the party aspires to claim five seats in the next Bergisch Gladbach city council - and strives for more!
The Left will also run for the Integrationsrat election and field the list "The Left International List - LIL" by the end of June.
Back in the Game, Bergisch Gladbach!
Reorganizing the local branch and the establishment of a new youth wing (Linksjugend ['solid]) wasn’t an easy path: after internal strife, and not participating in the 2020 local election, the party was struggling. But the time for retreat is over. The past few months prove: the rebuilding has been successful. The local branch is growing, new members are bringing fresh energy, and the nomination assembly was a sign of a new political awareness in the city.
"It was a powerful moment," said one participant of the assembly. "To see so many committed and young people ready to take on political responsibility, run for The Left, and fight together for a more just city was simply awe-inspiring - and brings hope for real change. We come from the heart of the city community and aim to substantially improve the living conditions of the people. We strive to provide a good life for all - not just for those who already have enough."
Die Linke Bergisch Gladbach stands ready to take charge - and forge alliances with local civic groups and movements, for the good of the people of this city. For a good life for all - not just a privileged few.
Our goal remains clear: social justice, real participation, and consistent resistance against the far-right.
Note from the editor: In an earlier version of the text, it was incorrectly stated that Die Linke was fielding two candidates for the position of Mayor. This was an oversight, it was meant to say "for the position of Mayor and District Administrator". We have corrected the error and apologize for any confusion.
Bonus: Key Focus Areas for The Left's Platform in Bergisch Gladbach
Social Policy & Affordable Housing:
The Left advocates for comprehensive solutions to address the housing crisis by promoting social and affordable housing initiatives. They stress the need for public funding, utilizing special federal infrastructure and climate protection funds, and advocate for civic engagement in housing projects. They propose developing collaborative residential communities under municipal management.
Ecological and Climate Protection:
They push for a fair transition to alternative transportation, climate protection efforts, and the use of renewable energy sources. They promote eco-friendly building practices that follow the Cradle-to-Cradle principle as part of sustainable urban development.
Democratic Participation and Inclusion:
They call for increased citizen participation and self-governance in local decision-making and emphasize their opposition to discrimination and their promotion of a diverse, anti-fascist community.
Economic and Labor Issues:
The Left aims to improve wages and worker's rights as part of their mission for social justice.
Source: The Left Bergisch Gladbach, 'Gladbach-News, various internet sources. (2025).
- The local branch of The Left in Bergisch Gladbach, spurred by the success of their Bundestag election results, aims to take charge in the upcoming local election, pushing for social justice, real participation, and consistent resistance against the far-right in their policy-and-legislation and politics agendas.
- The GL Morning Rundown reports that The Left Bergisch Gladbach stands for clear agendas in general-news, including comprehensive social policy, affordable housing, fair transit solutions, climate change action, and livable wages, as they strive to be a social, ecological, and anti-fascist voice in the city council for the benefit of all citizens in the city.
