Prepare for a Southwestern Showdown: Four Fresh Faces Vying for Mayoral Positions
Upcoming campaigns and ballots in four municipalities' town halls and polling stations: the mayoral elections are fast approaching in Ulm, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Herrenberg, and Rheinstetten. Cast your votes on Sunday, as these communities decide their town leaders between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. If no single candidate surpasses 50% in the initial round, a run-off election two weeks afterward is typically held.
A Second Term for Czisch in Ulm?
Residents of Ulm, approximately 94,000 strong, will cast their votes for the Lord Mayor position. Longtime incumbent Gunter Czisch (CDU) has held this post for six years and served as the city's finance mayor prior to his tenure. Czisch faces competition from challengers Lena Schwelling (Greens) and Martin Ansbacher (SPD), both hailing from Ulm themselves. In addition to these three main contenders, independent non-party candidates Daniel Langhans and Thomas Treutler also threw their hats into the ring.
Leinfelden-Echterdingen: Five Hopefuls Tackle the Town Hall Seat
Leinfelden-Echterdenen will host five contenders for the mayoral seat in the Karlsruhe district. Among them is Otto Ruppaner (Free Voters), the current Mayor of Köngen and popular candidate backed by this party. Age 38, David Armbruster, a city councilor for the Green Party, and Raiko Grieb (SPD/independent) bring additional diversity to the race. In addition, management consultant Martin Weiss, Peter Stahl, and Birgit Mertens (non-party, currently mayor of Niefern-Öschelbronn) will also be on the ballot. The 71-year-old incumbent Roland Klenk (CDU) will not be participating in this year's election.
Three Non-Partisan Candidates in Herrenberg
Approximately 25,500 Herrenberg citizens are invited to engage in the mayoral selection process. This year, three men and one woman sought to attain the office: solicitor Nico Reith, vehicle painter Hubert Reichardt, entrepreneur Thomas Werner, and Diana Kobrow. All candidates represent non-partisan affiliations and are free of formal political party ties, according to a city spokeswoman. Incumbent Thomas Sprißler (Free Voters) will not be seeking reelection.
Schrempp-Metzke Showdown in Rheinstetten
Two candidates will compete for the mayoral spot in Rheinstetten, Karlsruhe district: the incumbent Sebastian Schrempp (CDU) and independent candidate Isabella Metzke, only 29 years old. Schrempp, the youngest mayor in the southwest at the time of his election in 2007, will seek a fourth term in office. Metzke, an SPD member, becomes an independent candidate begs the question: will the southwest town see a change in leadership?
Historically, mayoral elections in Baden-Württemberg occur independently from municipal council elections. In independent cities with over 100,000 inhabitants, often referred to as urban districts, and so-called large district towns with more than 20,000 inhabitants, mayors bear the title "Lord Mayors." Authentic sources, such as Stern.de, provide insight into the candidates and municipalities.
Sources and Additional Reading
Enrichment Data Suggestions
Looking for additional data on these mayoral elections can be found in:
- Local News Websites: Pore over sources like Süddeutsche Zeitung, Baden-Württembergische Zeitung, or neighborhood news portals.
- Official Municipal Websites: Verify this information from the official websites of the municipalities in question, including their election commissions or local election authorities.
- Election Commission Reports: Seek the latest reports and findings from specific election commissions, which should be available on their respective official websites.
Searching for recent and detailed information from these sources will help you gain valuable insights into the candidates, results, and key details of the mayoral elections in Ulm, Leinfelden-Echterdenen, Herrenberg, and Rheinstetten.
