Wernau finally has a mayor - after 500 days of uncertainty!

Wernau finally has a mayor - after 500 days of uncertainty!

After more than a year and a half in the town hall of Wernau am Neckar, Christiane Krieger has finally earned the title of “elected mayor”. The 37-year-old was elected with 70 percent of the vote, but was forced to forego the title because her election was challenged by a so-called “fun candidate.” He didn't even make it onto the ballot, but his lawsuit before the Administrative Court dragged on for over 500 days before the appeal was finally rejected. Krieger herself had written her bachelor's thesis on the problem of “fun candidates” and the associated election challenges. She criticizes the long procedures and sees them as a threat to democracy.  Kommunal.de reports that she would like to campaign for faster processing of such lawsuits.

The matter highlights a larger problem in Germany: the number of election challenges is increasing, especially in the run-up to the super election year of 2024, in which numerous elections will take place at local, state and European levels. Dr. Dominik Lück, an experienced lawyer, emphasized on the subject of election challenges that they not only affect the trust of voters, but can also significantly delay the acceptance of the mandate. The vast majority of these lawsuits are unsuccessful, apart from one notable case in Berlin due to serious election errors. Dombert.de adds, that careful preparation by election officials and comprehensive legal education are crucial to preventing future election challenges.

A town hall with added value

The Wernau town hall is not only the headquarters of the administration, but also a meeting place. With a conference center, a wellness area, a sauna and an indoor swimming pool, it offers unique advantages throughout Germany. 20 years ago the old town hall was replaced by an extension to the town hall. Krieger is primarily interested in offering citizens, and especially the city's many voluntary associations, a platform for exchange and cooperation. In this context, she is planning a “Market of Opportunities” that will serve as a networking platform for the city’s almost 100 clubs.

Krieger promotes the commitment of young people in order to get them interested in local politics at an early stage. She explained this after inviting children from all daycare centers to a day of action in the town hall. The children gained insights into the tasks of the city administration and were able to take part in activities such as a scavenger hunt with sweets. Kommunal.de highlights that such initiatives are crucial to attracting the next generations to politics.

The volunteer fire department, which also has an established place in community life, symbolically gave the new mayor a fire bucket, which underlines the close connection between the various institutions and the community. Krieger also worked to ensure that the concerns of the city's fire department were heard and that joint activities were promoted.