Tension in Hamburg: Who will choose the choice of citizens?

Tension in Hamburg: Who will choose the choice of citizens?

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, around 1.3 million Hamburgers are called for the election of the citizens. This choice has far -reaching consequences, because it indirectly influences the decision about the first mayor. Peter Tschentscher (SPD) is currently the incumbent, who has been in office since 2018 and can be characterized by an office bonus. According to an ARD survey, almost half of the voters would support him in a direct election. Tschenscher is considered reserved and factual, which ensures stable backing among the population. He joined the SPD in 1989 and started his political career at the Hamburg-Nord district assembly. In 2008 he was elected to the citizens and was finance senator for seven years. Before his political career, he did his doctorate as a laboratory doctor and worked at the University Hospital Eppendorf until 2011. In his free time, Tschenscher plays the piano, reads crime novels and is a supporter of the Hamburger SV. He is married privately and has an adult son.

The competition for the office of the first mayor is strong. Katharina Fegebank (Greens), the top candidate of the Greens, is aiming for a leadership role after many years in the Senate. In 2004 she joined the Greens and was elected city leader in the city in 2008. Fegebank worked for almost a decade as the second mayor under Olaf Scholz and then under Tschenscher. She is a senator for science, research and equality and emphasizes her role as a working mother of twins. She has her roots in Bargteheide, Schleswig-Holstein, and she sympathizes with both Werder Bremen and FC St. Pauli. Her experience as a project manager in the economy and her studies in Freiburg and Berlin complete their profile.

the political landscape in change

On the part of the CDU, Dennis Thering (40) is at the top of the citizens' choice. He took over the chairmanship of the parliamentary group in 2020 and became head of state three years later. Thering brings a sporting past as a goalkeeper at Hamburger SV, but had to end his football career at an early stage due to a knee injury. After training as a bank clerk, he studied political science and gained experience at the Hamburger Sparkasse. As a native of Hamburg, he grew up in Hummelsbüttel and now lives in a former family ownership with his wife, daughter and a bitch.

Peter Tschentscher warns of the growth of the political edges, especially after the results of the Bundestag election, in which the AfD and the left gained at the expense of the political center. The left achieved 14.4 percent in Hamburg and the AfD 10.9 percent. Tschentscher emphasizes the need to go to the election and give up the "right" voices and strictly excludes cooperation with the left, while he wishes to continue the coalition with the Greens. Tschentscher calls on to take on personal and political responsibility in order to counteract a step backwards in political culture. He particularly underlines that cooperation with the CDU is conceivable, even though he criticizes its attitude as "hostile to Hamburg".

results of the Bundestag election

The Bundestag election, which took place on February 24, 2025, showed significant changes in voter behavior. According to the temporary result, the SPD achieved 22.7 percent of the votes, the CDU 20.7 percent and the Greens 19.3 percent. The turnout was 80.8 percent, an increase of 3 percentage points compared to the previous choice. The results showed that the time of the big popular parties is obviously over. The left doubled its share of voices and grew to the strongest force in certain parts of the city. This indicates the growing interest of voters in alternative political options.

In connection with the upcoming choice of citizenship, the political situation in Hamburg is exciting. The following week will be crucial to see whether voters maintain the established parties or break new ground. Radio euskirchen reports on the challenges and opportunities that arise from the current political situation. At the same time, ndr of the possible consequences of strengthening the political edges and encouraging citizens to participate in the vote. A look at the coming days will show how the voices are distributed and which party in the end has the legend in the Hanseatic city.