Peter Tschentscher Secures Another Term as Hamburg's First Mayor
Socialist party leader Chchentscher chosen as Hamburg's new head of government.
After a tense vote in the Hamburg parliament, Peter Tschentscher, the 59-year-old head of the Social Democrats (SPD), has been confirmed as Hamburg's First Mayor once again. With 71 votes in his favor, 47 against, and one abstention, he has the support to govern for another legislative period, leading a coalition of SPD and the Greens.
The parliament's session took place two months after the Hamburg state election, during which the SPD took the lead, emerging as the clear victors. In the parliament, which consists of 121 members, 119 voted, with 10 more than the required votes going to Tschentscher.
The New Senate Line-up
Following the departure of Green Environment Senator Jens Kerstan, Maryam Blumenthal, the previous Green state chairwoman, will join the senate. However, she won't be taking over the environmental portfolio, instead focusing on the science authority previously managed by Katharina Fegebank. Fegebank, meanwhile, will become the new environmental senator, with climate policy her top priority.
The current senators across SPD and Greens will remain in office. The SPD will maintain seven ministries, including positions for urban development, social affairs, schools, finance, interior, and culture. The Greens will hold four senatorial posts. Interestingly, women will occupy the majority of the 12 positions, holding seven of them.
Personnel Changes Minimal
The changes to the senate are minimal. Apart from Blumenthal and Fegebank assuming their new roles, all other senators will retain their existing positions. This includes Melanie Leonhard as Minister of Economics, Karen Pein, Melanie Schlotzhauer, Ksenija Bekeris, Andreas Dressel, Andy Grote, and Carsten Brosda in their respective ministries for urban development, social affairs, schools, finance, interior, and culture. Anna Gallina and Anjes Tjarks from the Greens will continue as justice senator and transport senator, respectively.
A Successful Coalition Continues
The SPD and Greens have been in power in Hamburg since 2015, with Tschentscher serving as First Mayor since 2018. Despite a few losses in the recent election, the SPD emerged as the winners, subsequently initiating coalition talks with the Greens. Approximately two weeks ago, they presented their joint coalition agreement, titled "Hamburg United – With Heart and Reason." This agreement outlines multi-billion-euro investments in infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and education. The next scheduled election in Hamburg will take place in 2030.
Sources: ntv.de, mpa/dpa/AFP
- SPD
- Greens
- Hamburg State Election
- Hamburg Senate
- Peter Tschentscher
- Despite a tense vote in the Hamburg parliament, Peter Tschentscher, the head of the SPD, has agreed to serve another term as Hamburg's First Mayor, leading a coalition of SPD and the Greens.
- In the general-news, it was confirmed that Maryam Blumenthal, the previous Green state chairman, will join the senate, replacing Jens Kerstan, with a focus on the science authority instead of the environmental portfolio.
- The community policy of the SPD and Greens in Hamburg continues, as they have maintained their coalition since 2015, with Tschentscher as First Mayor since 2018.
- The upcoming parliamentary discussions are expected to include employment policy, as the new Senate line-up, which consists mostly of women, will retain most of their positions, including Economics Minister Melanie Leonhard and Justice Senator Anna Gallina.
