Peter Tschentscher Secures Another Term as First Mayor of Hamburg's Head of Government
Socialist polity leader Chchentscher wins the position of Hamburg's Premier Minister
After a tense vote, SPD politician Peter Tschentscher has secured another term as the First Mayor and head of government in Hamburg. The Social Democrats emerged as the clear winners in the parliamentary election two months ago, and following a vote, it's clear that Tschentscher will continue leading the coalition of SPD and Greens.
The 59-year-old received ten more votes than necessary in the parliament (which has 121 members), allowing him to govern for another legislative period. Of the votes cast, 71 were in favor of Tschentscher, 47 were against, with one abstention. With SPD and Greens together holding 70 seats in the Hamburg parliament, it's clear that Tschentscher received at least one vote from the opposition.
Following Tschentscher's election and swearing-in, parliament will confirm the senators and the deputy mayor nominated by the head of government, including Green politician Katharina Fegebank. The new senate will see a majority of women, with seven out of twelve positions held by women.
A Few Changes to the Senate
Personnel changes are minimal. Maryam Blumenthal from the Greens, among others, will join the senate, taking over the science authority previously led by Fegebank. The deputy mayor is switching to the environmental authority as Jens Kerstan's successor, and wants to focus primarily on climate policy there.
Incumbent SPD state chairwoman Melanie Leonhard, along with her party colleagues, will continue serving in various ministries. Anna Galina and Anjes Tjarks from the Greens will remain senators for justice and transport, respectively.
A Fruitful Seven-Year Coalition
SPD and Greens have been working together in the Hanseatic city since 2015, with Tschentscher serving as First Mayor and head of government since 2018. Despite some losses, the SPD won the election on March 2 with a clear majority, subsequently beginning coalition negotiations with the Greens.
Approximately two weeks ago, both sides presented the coalition agreement under the title "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind." Key investments in infrastructure, transport, climate protection, and education are included in the agreement, aimed at addressing the city's challenges and improving the lives of its residents. The next regular election in Hamburg will take place in 2030.
Sources: ntv.de, mpa, AFP
- Hamburg
- Politics
- Peter Tschentscher
- SPD
- Elections
Insights
While the SPD and Greens have been governing in Hamburg successfully for the past seven years, digital transformation and demographic shifts pose new challenges for the city. The coalition aims to tackle these challenges by promoting a house-building offensive to increase housing availability and hosting a referendum for a potential Summer Paralympic Games bid (rental123.de). Another focus area includes investing in climate protection and education (ntv.de).
- The confirmed winner of the Hamburg's parliamentary election, Peter Tschentscher, hails from the SPD, and will continue his tenure as First Mayor and head of government for another legislative period, having received the necessary votes in the parliament.
- As a result of Tschentscher's reelection, the senate will see changes in personnel, with Maryam Blumenthal from the Greens taking over the science authority previously led by Katharina Fegebank, among other shifts.
- The seven-year coalition between the SPD and Greens in Hamburg, which began in 2015 and has seen Tschentscher serve as First Mayor since 2018, has now been strengthened with Tschentscher's election victory in the March 2 elections.
- In order to address the challenges of digital transformation and demographic shifts faced by Hamburg, the coalition aims to focus on investments in housing availability, climate protection, and education, as outlined in their coalition agreement titled "Hamburg United - With Heart and Mind."
