New Term for Tschentscher: SPD and Greens Form Government in Hamburg
Socialist politician Chchentscher appointed as the Prime Minister of Hamburg city.
Get ready for more of the same in Hamburg's government as Peter Tschentscher, the incumbent First Mayor of the Social Democrats (SPD), has been re-elected for another term. The SPD emerged victorious in the parliamentary election two months ago, and Tschentscher's re-election marks seven more years of SPD and Green collaboration in the Hanseatic city.
The parliamentary vote saw Tschentscher earn ten more votes than necessary, ensuring a seamless transition for the coalition of SPD and Greens. Maryam Blumenthal, the former Green state chairwoman, will join the senate, taking over the science authority previously led by Green politician Katharina Fegebank. However, Blumenthal will not manage the environmental portfolio. Instead, Fegebank will succeed the departing Green Environment Senator Jens Kerstan and prioritize climate policy in her new role.
The Unchanged Senators
Most of the incumbent senators will keep their posts: SPD state chairwoman Melanie Leonhard as Minister of Economics, and her fellow party members Karen Pein, Melanie Schlotzhauer, Ksenija Bekeris, Andreas Dressel, Andy Grote, and Carsten Brosda as ministers for urban development, social affairs, schools, finance, interior, and culture, respectively. Green justice senator Anna Gallina and transport senator Anjes Tjarks will continue in their positions.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Since 2015, the SPD and Greens have been governing the city together, with Tschentscher as First Mayor and head of government since 2018. The newly-released coalition agreement, titled "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind," outlines ambitious plans, including multi-billion-euro investments in infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and the education system.
However, the agreement has not been without controversy. Some Green delegates and environmental groups voiced concerns that the Greens made too many concessions during negotiations, such as lowering energy standards for construction costs and changes to Hamburg's mobility transition strategy. Furthermore, there have been criticisms about limiting the involvement of environmental associations in planning processes.
Internal concerns within both parties exist as well, particularly regarding aspects like asylum policy and homelessness. Nonetheless, the agreement has garnered broad support overall, with the next regular election in Hamburg set for 2030.
Sources: ntv.de, mpa/dpa/AFP
- Hamburg
- Hamburg State Parliament Election
- Peter Tschentscher
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Enrichment Insights:
In their coalition agreement, the SPD and Greens have outlined plans for a house-building offensive to address Hamburg's housing needs. However, specific numbers and timelines were not covered in the search results. Additionally, the agreement mentions an Olympics bid, indicating Hamburg's interest in hosting the Olympic Games and a focus on sports infrastructure and international events.
Environmental concerns arose during negotiations, with some Green delegates and environmental groups expressing that the Greens made too many compromises. Criticisms included lower energy standards for construction costs and changes to Hamburg's mobility transition strategy. Environmental associations also voiced concerns about limitations on their involvement in planning processes.
- The re-elected First Mayor of Hamburg, Peter Tschentscher from the SPD, will continue to oversee the city's government for another term, as the SPD and Greens have formed a coalition government for seven years.
- Melanie Leonhard, SPD state chairwoman, will maintain her post as Minister of Economics, while Karen Pein, Melanie Schlotzhauer, Ksenija Bekeris, Andreas Dressel, Andy Grote, and Carsten Brosda will continue in their respective roles as ministers for urban development, social affairs, schools, finance, interior, and culture.
- However, the agreement between the SPD and Greens has been met with controversy, as some Green delegates and environmental groups argue that the Greens made too many concessions during negotiations, such as lowering energy standards and making changes to Hamburg's mobility transition strategy.
- Despite these concerns, the coalition agreement titled "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind," has garnered broad support overall, setting the stage for seven years of collaboration and ambitious plans for infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and the education system in Hamburg.
