Peter Tschentscher Re-Elected as Head of Government in Hamburg amid SPD-Green Coalition Victory
Socialist party leader, Chchentscher, named as the new Prime Minister of Hamburg.
Get the scoop on the recent political tilt in Hamburg's Hanseatic city! Peter Tschentscher, a half-century-old Social Democrat (SPD) stalwart, has been reappointed as the First Mayor and Head of Government for another term, following a successful vote in the state parliament.
After a two-month wait post the state election, Tschentscher secured ten additional votes beyond the required count, ultimately securing his position to steer the SPD-Green coalition for another legislative period. With a total of 121 members in the state parliament, 71 voted in favour of Tschentscher, 47 opposed him, and one abstained, indicating that at least one vote from the opposition was cast in his favour.
SPD-Green Coalition Agenda Takes Shape
Following Tschentscher's re-election and swearing-in, the state parliament will ratify the newly appointed senators and deputy mayors, with Katharina Fegebank of the Green party ascending to the position of deputy mayor.
The SPD will maintain seven ministries apart from the mayoral position, with the Greens holding four. Notably, women will hold seven out of the twelve positions, signifying a gender majority in the new senate.
Familiar Faces Remain on the Senate Bench
When it comes to personnel changes, the shake-up remains modest. Maryam Blumenthal, the former Green state chairwoman, will replace Jens Kerstan as Environment Senator, with her assigned to the science authority vacated by Fegebank. As a result, Fegebank will take on the environmental portfolio and make climate policy her foremost concern.
With the exception of Fegebank and Blumenthal, the current senators will retain their posts, including SPD Chairwoman Melanie Leonhard, who will continue serving as Minister of Economics, along with her party colleagues Karen Pein, Melanie Schlotzhauer, Ksenija Bekeris, Andreas Dressel, Andy Grote, and Carsten Brosda, who will respectively head Urban Development, Social Affairs, Schools, Finance, Interior, and Culture. The Green party's Anjes Tjarks will remain as Transport Senator, while Anna Gallina continues to serve as Justice Senator.
A Successful Seven-Year Reign
The SPD and Greens alliance first took root in Hamburg in 2015, with Tschentscher stepping into the role as First Mayor and Head of Government in 2018. The partnership proved fruitful, despite some electoral losses, as the SPD emerged as the clear winner in the March 2, 2022 election. Negotiations for the new coalition soon ensued.
On April 1, 2022, the coalition partners presented their agreement with the title "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind," outlining major investments in infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and the education system. The next regular election in Hamburg will be slated for 2030.
Sources: ntv.de, mpa/dpa/AFP
- Hamburg
- Hamburg State Election
- Peter Tschentscher
- SPD
- Elections
- In a strengthened SPD-Green coalition, Peter Tschentscher, the victorious half-century-old Social Democrat, has been re-appointed as the First Mayor and Head of Government in Hamburg, following a successful vote in the state parliament.
- The SPD's employment policy will continue to be a significant priority, as seven out of the twelve positions in the new senate will be held by women, signifying a gender majority and a commitment to diversity.
- With the re-election of Peter Tschentscher confirmed, the state parliament will ratify the newly appointed senators and deputy mayors, including Katharina Fegebank of the Green party, who will ascend to the position of deputy mayor.
- As part of the coalition agreement titled "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind," major investments in infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and the education system have been outlined, aiming to continue the successful seven-year reign of the SPD and Greens alliance in Hamburg politics.
