Andreas Heller triumphs with 75.9% in the mayoral election in Elsdorf!

Andreas Heller triumphs with 75.9% in the mayoral election in Elsdorf!

Today, September 14, 2025, there was an exciting election spectacle in Elsdorf that ended with a clear result: Andreas Heller, a joint candidate from the CDU and SPD, was able to prevail against Wilhelm Stock from the AfD with an impressive 75.9 percent of the votes. Heller will therefore be responsible for the next five years in this city, which has around 21,400 inhabitants. Voter turnout was a solid 60.6 percent, which shows that citizens actively participated in the decision for their future, reports 24rhein.

The election in Elsdorf takes place in the context of the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, where over 13.7 million citizens nationwide were eligible to vote. The importance of this election is seen as the first test of sentiment after the federal election, and the attention was not only on the mayoral elections, but also on the election of new city councils and district councils in the Rhein-Erft district. While early elections took place in many cities such as Wesseling, Elsdorf, along with other municipalities in the region, remained in focus. These elections give the Rhein-Erft district the opportunity to reposition itself, as WDR reports.

A look at Elsdorf and its challenges

Elsdorf, the smallest municipality in the Rhein-Erft district, has not only undergone a political reorientation, but is also facing controversial issues. The phase-out of lignite and the associated social and economic consequences are omnipresent in the town. The Hambach opencast mine has a strong influence on the cityscape, and numerous districts have had to be relocated due to brown coal mining. RWE Power and the Pfeifer & Langen sugar factory are the region's main employers and underline the economic involvement with brown coal, as shown in the report by WDR.

The mayoral election took place without the need for a runoff election, as Heller achieved the absolute majority, which is not entirely a given given the political constellations in North Rhine-Westphalia. The electoral system stipulates that in such a situation there is no need for another election if the required majority of 50 percent is achieved, which was clearly the case in Elsdorf. Further exciting election results can be expected throughout the Rhein-Erft district, as the current vote count shows.

Economy and culture in Elsdorf

The population of Elsdorf shows that the town is vital and lively, even though it is one of the smaller municipalities in the district. Historical sights such as Stammeln Castle and the Laubenhaus 'Zur Löv' attract visitors and give the city character. In addition, leisure facilities such as the outdoor swimming pool, one of the largest in the region with 27,000 square meters, also contribute to the quality of life in Elsdorf, as reported by ZDF and WDR mentioned.

The local elections are not only a moment of decision, but also open up prospects for the establishment of new companies and the expansion of the digital economy. Microsoft has already expressed interest in building large data centers in this region, which could create new jobs and thus represent a bright spot for the future.