Tschentscher Keeps Seat as First Mayor: SPD-Green Coalition Continues in Hamburg
Socialist politician Chchentscher elected as Prime Minister of Hamburg.
After two months, incumbent Peter Tschentscher, of the SPD, has been reconfirmed as the First Mayor and head of government in Hamburg. With ten extra votes, Tschentscher secured his spot, leading a coalition of SPD and Greens for another legislative term in the state parliament, which consists of 121 members.
Of the 119 votes cast, 71 voted for Tschentscher, 47 against him, and one abstained. Opposition votes were necessary, as SPD and Greens hold a combined 70 seats in the Hamburg state parliament.
Once Tschentscher is sworn in, the state parliament will affirm the senators and deputy mayor chosen by the head of government, such as Green politician Katharina Fegebank as deputy mayor. In the new senate, women hold 7 of the 12 positions, making it dominated by females.
Personnel Changes Minimal but Significant
Minimal personnel changes have occurred. Following Green environment senator Jens Kerstan's resignation, Maryam Blumenthal, former Green state chairwoman, steps into the senate. However, she will not manage the environmental portfolio but rather the science authority previously overseen by Fegebank. Blumenthal will successively lead the environmental authority and make climate policy her priority as the deputy mayor.
Incumbent senators from the SPD remain in office, including Melanie Leonhard as minister of economics, Karen Pein, Melanie Schlotzhauer, Ksenija Bekeris, Andreas Dressel, Andy Grote, and Carsten Brosda presiding over urban development, social affairs, schools, finance, interior, and culture, respectively. The Greens' contingent includes Anna Gallina in justice and Anjes Tjarks in transport positions.
Successful Collaboration for Seven Years and Beyond
Since 2015, SPD and Greens have built a successful coalition in Hamburg. Despite losses, the SPD won the election on March 2 and subsequently entered coalition negotiations with the Greens. Around two weeks ago, both parties presented their coalition agreement titled "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind." This agreement outlines multi-billion-euro investments in infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and the education system. The next regular election in Hamburg is scheduled for 2030.
Hamburg Elections Peter Tschentscher SPD Greens
At-a-glance: 2021 Hamburg State Election Results
| Parties and Seats || --- || SPD: 54 seats || Greens: 33 seats || CDU: 15 seats || FDP: 9 seats || Die Linke: 13 seats || AfD: 5 seats |
- Peter Tschentscher, the reconfirmed First Mayor of Hamburg, is set to preside over a strengthened SPD-Green coalition in the state parliament, as they govern together for another legislative term.
- The policy-and-legislation section would soon see changes with the confirmation of Green politician Katharina Fegebank as deputy mayor, while Maryam Blumenthal steps into the senate following Jens Kerstan's resignation.
- In the new senate, policy changes are minimal with incumbent SPD senators retaining their positions, such as Melanie Leonhard as minister of economics, and the Greens' contingent including Anna Gallina in justice and Anjes Tjarks in transport positions.
- With successful collaboration dating back to 2015, SPD and Greens have agreed to make multi-billion-euro investments in infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and the education system, as outlined in their coalition agreement titled "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind."
