Tschentscher Remains as Hamburg's Leader Amidst SPD's Election Victory
Left-wing politician Chchentscher wins Hamburg's prime minister position.
Insight: Peter Tschentscher has been a significant figure in Hamburg's politics, serving as the First Mayor since 2018, leading the SPD party. Often, coalitions in Hamburg involve the SPD and center-left parties.
In a parliamentary vote, Peter Tschentscher, the First Mayor of Hamburg from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has been officially reinstated as head of government for another legislative period. The vote took place about two months following the Hamburg parliamentary election in March, where the SPD emerged victorious.
With a total of 119 votes cast, Tschentscher garnered 71 votes in his favor, surpassing the required ten votes to confirm his position. There were 47 votes against him, one abstention, and no further contenders for the position. Governing as part of a coalition with the Greens, the SPD and Greens together hold 70 seats in the Hamburg Parliament. This confirms that Tschentscher's vote came from at least one member of the opposition.
Following Tschentscher's election, the parliament will verify the senators and Katharina Fegebank, the Green politician nominated as second mayor by Tschentscher. In the new senate, women will make up a majority, with seven out of twelve posts held by them. The SPD will occupy seven ministries, including the first mayor's position, while the Greens will hold four.
Personnel Changes in the Senatorial Cabinet
The restructuring of the senatorial cabinet brings some changes. Green environment senator Jens Kerstan has resigned, leading to the appointment of Maryam Blumenthal, former Green state chairwoman. Blumenthal will take over the science authority previously overseen by Fegebank, who is moving to the environment authority as Kerstan's replacement. Blumenthal plans to make climate policy the "main task" of the newly-assigned portfolio.
Remaining members of the senate include SPD state chairwoman Melanie Leonhard as the economics senator and several other SPD members holding various ministerial positions. The Greens, apart from Fegebank and Blumenthal, will continue to be represented by justice senator Anna Gallina and transport senator Anjes Tjarks.
Steady Coalition for Another Term
Originally forming a coalition in 2015, SPD and Greens have been working together to govern Hamburg for seven years. While there were losses in the recent election, the SPD secured the victory and began coalition negotiations with the Greens. Approximately two weeks ago, both parties announced their coalition agreement under the title "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind." This agreement promises significant investments in infrastructure, education, climate protection, and transport. The next regular election in Hamburg will take place in 2030.
Source: ntv.de, mpa/dpa/AFP
- Hamburg
- First Mayor of Hamburg
- Peter Tschentscher
- SPD
- Coalition
- Elections
- Peter Tschentscher, the First Mayor of Hamburg from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has been officially reinstated for another term in a parliamentary vote following the SPD's victory in the Hamburg parliamentary election.
- Tschentscher's confirmation as the First Mayor came after he garnered 71 votes in his favor, surpassing the required ten votes, out of a total of 119 votes cast, signifying a strengthened position within Hamburg's politics.
- In a continuation of their coalition, the SPD and the Greens will govern Hamburg for another term, as they have been doing since 2015, with the Greens represented by justice senator Anna Gallina and transport senator Anjes Tjarks, among others.
- The confirmation of Tschentscher's position, along with the coalition agreement between the SPD and the Greens ("Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind"), highlights the collective focus on significant investments in infrastructure, education, climate protection, and transport during their next legislative period.
