The largest cities in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate are looking for a new mayor. While the two best places in Frankfurt still have to go to the runoff, the decision has been made in Mainz.
A runoff election will decide on the new mayor of Frankfurt. In the first ballot, none of the candidates received the required absolute majority. After counting all voting districts, Uwe Becker (CDU) received the most votes with 34.5 percent of the votes, followed by Mike Josef (SPD) with 24.0 percent of the votes. Both candidates are going into the runoff on March 26th. The Greens candidate Manuela Rottmann came third with 21.3 percent.
Around 509,000 people were entitled to vote. With a total of 20 candidates, more took part this time than ever before in the Main metropolis.
The previous incumbent, Peter Feldmann, was voted out in November in a procedure that was unprecedented for Frankfurt. Shortly thereafter, the SPD politician was fined for accepting advantages in the Awo affair. The verdict is not yet legally binding.
Independent Nino Haase wins in Mainz
The Rhineland-Palatinate state capital of Mainz has had a non-party mayor for the first time since 1949. According to information from the town hall, 39-year-old Nino Haase received 63.6 percent of the votes in the runoff. 36.4 percent of Mainz voted for his competitor from the Greens, Christian Viering. Around 162,000 citizens were invited to vote. Voter turnout was 40.1 percent.
The runoff election is a turning point for the largest city in the state. The SPD has provided the mayor since 1949. The election had become necessary because Mayor Michael Ebling (SPD) had moved to the head of the state interior ministry.
The new mayor begins his eight-year term in a comfortable position. Mainly thanks to the tax revenue from Biontech, Mainz, which has long been heavily indebted, is now one of the richest cities in the republic.
Source: Stern
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