"Enhance the Bond between Points"
Dr. Stephan Keller, the current Mayor of Düsseldorf, has been at the helm since November 1, 2020. Keller, a native of Aachen and a father of three, has taken a firm stance against any form of insult or threat towards the police, regardless of whether it is personally directed or aimed at the city administration employees.
In his first 100 days in office, Keller described Düsseldorf as "Rhenish-global". This term signifies the city's commitment to preserving its Rhenish traditions while embracing an open, tolerant, and international community with a diverse population.
The Mayor's stance is supported by recent statistics, as a Forsa survey indicates that 57 percent of mayors in Germany have been insulted, threatened, or physically attacked. Keller believes that personal insults are now commonplace in public office, particularly during the corona pandemic.
Keller works closely with the head of the crisis staff in Düsseldorf to manage crises, and he agrees with Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble that crises sharpen focus and reveal strengths and weaknesses.
Unity in the city society is a priority for Keller, who emphasises the importance of transparent decision-making. He regularly meets with representatives of branches and institutions affected by the corona crisis to understand their concerns.
Keller believes that a broad spectrum of opinions should be tolerated in a democracy, but not opinions that promote racism, anti-Semitism, hate, or incitement. He does not condone resignation from public office due to difficult situations, as it would erode democracy.
Düsseldorf is set to host several major sporting events in the coming years, including the Invictus Games in 2023, the European Football Championship in 2024, and a bid for the Universiade 2025. Keller, a hobby cyclist, expressed interest in bringing the Grand Départ of the Tour de France back to Düsseldorf, although it is not a current topic of discussion.
For those interested in democracy-related issues, Sven Lilienstroem founded the initiative "Faces of Democracy" in 2017, which aims to generate media attention for democracy-related topics with the support of over one million people. More information can be found at www.faces-of-democracy.org.
Despite the challenges, Keller remains committed to upholding democracy's principles, believing that it ensures the respect and protection of individual dignity, balances individual freedom and equality, and guarantees peace and prosperity.
- Mayor Keller, in his commitment to maintaining a diverse and open city, has consistently advocated for policies-and-legislation that combat racism, anti-Semitism, and hate speech, emphasizing their importance in the politics of Düsseldorf.
- In general-news discussions about the demanding nature of public office, particularly during the corona pandemic, Mayor Keller has expressed concerns about the rising instances of personal insults and attacks, advocating for tolerance and democracy's principles to guide decision-making and public discourse.
