Suche
Mein Konto
Cologne elects new mayor: 13 candidates at a glance!
On September 14, 2025, Cologne will elect a new mayor. Find out everything about the 13 candidates and their programs.
Cologne elects new mayor: 13 candidates at a glance!
When the Cologne town hall gate opens again for the mayoral election on September 14, 2025, the political landscape of the cathedral city will change significantly. Henriette Reker, the long-standing incumbent, is no longer running after two terms in office and is making way for a breath of fresh air. A total of 13 applicants, out of 21 originally interested parties, fulfilled the necessary candidacy for the executive chair in Cologne, as reported by 24rhein.de.
The coming elections promise an exciting debate, especially since the Cologne Greens are fielding their first mayoral candidate in over a decade, Berîvan Aymaz. The 52-year-old is a well-known face in politics, has already served on the Cologne city council and is now active as second vice president in the NRW state parliament. With its focus on sustainability and housing issues, it is clearly positioning itself against expensive large-scale projects and tunnel solutions for the East-West axis. According to T-Online, it is even considering promoting a stronger role for citizen participation in city politics.
Candidates at a glance
The list of aspirants includes a diverse spectrum of personalities and political approaches. Here is an overview of the candidates:
| name | party | Old | Main topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berivan Aymaz | Greens | 52 | Sustainability, housing, local transport |
| Markus Greitemann | CDU | 64 | Security service, housing construction |
| Torsten Burmester | SPD | 61 | Affordable housing, security, education |
| Heiner Kockerbeck | The left | 50 | Social justice, free public transport |
| Volker Görzel | FDP | 54 | Reduction in bureaucracy, security |
| Lars Wolfram | volt | 48 | Mobility transition, digitalization |
| Matthias Büschges | AfD | 34 | Security, order |
| Mark Benecke | The party | 54 | Humorous demands, animal rights |
| Inga Feuser | GOOD & climate friends | 42 | Climate protection, mobility transition |
| Heike Flora herds | Party of Progress | 37 | Housing, mobility, education |
| Ali Güçlü | non-partisan | 51 | No clear positions |
| Roberto Campione | Cologne city society | 51 | Safety, cleanliness, housing |
| Hans Mörtter | non-partisan | 69 | Affordable housing, climate protection |
Fast-paced election campaign and exciting developments
The election campaign already promises to be in the media spotlight. The candidates bring their own stories and visions, some with long political careers. Burmester not only served as CEO of the DOSB, but was also Gerhard Schröder's personal advisor. Greitemann, the current head of the building department, would like to place a strong focus on housing construction and improve the quality of life in the city.
What is special about this election is the fact that if none of the candidates reach the 50% mark, a runoff election will have to take place on September 28, 2025. This could further fuel political debates in the city and activate the electorate, as Benecke.com notes.
The people of Cologne can be curious to see how the selection process will develop and which visions will prevail. One thing is certain: it will be an interesting and varied election campaign!