Hamburg's New Red-Green Senate Takes Office: A Closer Look
The newly sworn-in Senate in Hamburg begins its term. - Elected Hamburg Senate Commences Duties
It's been nearly three months since the state election in Hamburg, and the new red-green state government, led by Mayor Peter Tschentscher, has officially taken office. Here's a rundown of the events, including the close vote that confirmed Tschentscher's role as head of government.
The Vote
In a closely contested vote, the parliament confirmed Tschentscher as head of government with 71 yes votes, 47 no votes, and one abstention. With the SPD and Greens holding 70 of the 121 parliamentary seats, Tschentscher needed at least one vote from the opposition to secure the position.
For the ministers, including the deputy mayor Katharina Fegebank (Greens), the vote was 68 yes votes, 49 no votes, and one abstention. This means that two members of the government coalition could have voted against Tschentscher in this matter.
The Senate roster
The Senate comprises the mayor's office, seven positions held by the SPD, and four by the Greens, making women the majority, with seven of the 12 posts held by them. Following the departure of Green Environment Minister Jens Kerstan, only the former Green chairwoman Maryam Blumenthal is joining the Senate, though she won't be taking over the environment portfolio. Instead, she'll lead the science authority previously managed by Fegebank. Fegebank, in turn, is moving to the environmental authority and plans to prioritize climate policy there.
The Incumbents
Most ministers remain in office, including the SPD state chairwoman Melanie Leonhard (Economics), Karen Pein (Urban Development), Melanie Schlotzhauer (Social Affairs), Ksenija Bekeris (Education), Andreas Dressel (Finance), Andy Grote (Interior), and Carsten Brosda (Culture). The Greens' Anna Gallina (Justice) and Anjes Tjarks (Transport) also remain at the Senate table.
Changes in Authorities
Some authorities have experienced changes in scope. The districts have returned to the finance authority, the area of employment has moved from the social authority to the economic authority, and the area of children, youth, and family has come under the responsibility of the education authority. Conversely, the social authority has taken on responsibility for seniors and is now called the authority for health, social affairs, and integration.
New State Secretaries
Four new state secretaries have joined the team: Stefanie von Berg (Environment, Climate, and Agriculture in the environmental authority from June), Katharina von Fintel (School and Vocational Training) and Michaela Peponis (Family and Youth) in the education authority, and Funda Güür (Social Affairs and Integration) in the social authority. Twelve state secretaries from the old senate also remain in office.
Post-Election Politics
Although both the SPD and Greens suffered losses in the Hamburg Citizens' Election on March 2nd, the SPD was re-elected as the strongest force, while the Greens had to settle for third place behind a strengthened CDU. The SPD and Greens have been governing together in the Hanseatic city since 2015, initially under the leadership of Olaf Scholz (SPD), and later under Tschentscher.
Opposition leader Dennis Thering (CDU), who had hoped for a share in government, congratulated Tschentscher. "Now it's crucial to work together decisively to make our city a little better every day," Thering said, emphasizing the need for swift and clear decisions for Hamburg's future and investments in tomorrow's prosperity.
Congratulations for Tschentscher came from various sources, including local parties, business organizations, churches, and Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU), who described Tschentscher as a pragmatic and prudent politician.
Policy Priorities
While specific policy priorities of the new red-green state government have not been detailed, typical red-green coalition priorities include environmental protection, transportation and mobility, social equality, and economic development. Hamburg aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030 and is implementing a comprehensive mobility strategy, "Hamburg-Takt," which includes expanding public transport and promoting shared mobility options like car-sharing and bike-sharing. Consult local government announcements or official Hamburg state government resources for specific details about the government's policy priorities.
- Despite losing some seats in the election, the SPD, led by Peter Tschentscher, along with the Greens, managed to confirm Tschentscher as the head of government in a close vote, strengthening their cooperation in the policy-and-legislation sphere.
- The newly confirmed red-green Senate has a majority of women, with seven of the 12 posts held by them, and a total of 12 state secretaries, including four new ones, have joined the team.
- In terms of policy changes, the areas of employment have moved from the social authority to the economic authority, the districts have returned to the finance authority, and the area of children, youth, and family has come under the responsibility of the education authority.
- Whilst specific policy priorities of the new red-green state government have not yet been detailed, they typically focus on environmental protection, transportation and mobility, social equality, and economic development, such as implementing a comprehensive mobility strategy, "Hamburg-Takt," which includes expanding public transport and promoting shared mobility options.
