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Potsdam votes: Who will be the new mayor in the corruption swamp?
Potsdam will elect a new mayor on September 21, 2025. Dirk Harder (Left) and other candidates are up for election.
Potsdam votes: Who will be the new mayor in the corruption swamp?
The clock is ticking in Potsdam: a new mayor will be elected on September 21, 2025, and preparations are in full swing. Dirk Harder, who is entering the race as an independent candidate for Die Linke, would like to bring a breath of fresh air. Last Saturday he was officially nominated at a general meeting of the district association. Harder, born in Potsdam in 1967, has an impressive career in youth and social work. His previous work includes, among other things, management of the city youth group and responsibility for the Freiland youth culture center. He is currently involved in the district association of workers' welfare (Awo) in Potsdam and is a member of the city's youth welfare committee.
But why is this election so important? The previous mayor Mike Schubert (SPD) was voted out on May 25th this year. The reasons were criticism of his leadership style and a violent corruption scandal. This situation not only brings with it enormous challenges for the candidates, but also enormous pressure. Parties such as the SPD, CDU, Greens and Left are struggling to find a suitable successor. The candidacies must be submitted to the returning officer by July 17th, and five candidates and one female candidate are already in the starting blocks.
Candidates at a glance
The list of already known applicants for the office in Potsdam reads as follows:
- Dirk Harder (Die Linke, parteilos)
- Severin Fischer (SPD, Berliner Wirtschaftsstaatssekretär)
- Chaled-Uwe Said (AfD, Vorsitzender der AfD-Stadtfraktion)
- Willo Göpel (CDU, Fraktionsvorsitzender im Stadtparlament)
- Noosha Aubel (parteilos, frühere Beigeordnete, unterstützt von den Grünen)
- Jörn Karlipp (Einzelbewerber)
The election topics are broad: education, affordable housing and a functioning administration are at the top of the agenda. The new mayor must also address the challenges that have arisen as a result of Schubert being voted out, including the financial bottlenecks - around 30 million euros in new debt are required for each of 2025 and 2026.
Corruption and political challenges
The problems plaguing the city are not just historical. Dealing with corruption in local politics has repeatedly made headlines in recent years. A study shows that the relationships between local politicians and business are often characterized by problematic influences. Dangerous concepts, such as those that became apparent in the Regensburg corruption scandal, reflect poorly on the integrity of the political landscape. After all, local politicians often have to rely on donations to run competitive campaigns, which poses additional challenges. “How can we ensure integrity in local politics?” asks the team behind the documentary series “DokThema” in relation to these complex topics of corruption prevention and education, which continue to have a high priority in the political discussion.
Whatever the outcome of the election, Potsdam faces a groundbreaking decision. The coming weeks leading up to the July 17 deadline to nominate candidates will be crucial. A good hand in choosing the right candidate could herald a new era for the city.