Hannover chooses: Who will be the new mayor in 2026?

Hannover chooses: Who will be the new mayor in 2026?

Hannover, Deutschland - Today on June 20, 2025, the political landscape of Hanover is again in the sign of impending elections. The date for the next mayor election has already been determined: On September 13, 2026, the new mayor will be elected. The polling stations open their doors from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so that the citizens have the opportunity to give their vote.

The acting mayor Belit Onay von den Greens has announced that it has again. Onay has made a name for himself since his election in 2019, after the resignation of his predecessor Stefan Schostok due to the town hall affair. Next to him, Axel von der Ohe, the city treasurer and deputy of Onay, is available as a candidate for the SPD. So far, the CDU has not yet presented its own candidates, which makes the choice for the voters exciting. This information brings the Hannoversche Allgemeine to the point.

voting entitlement and voting

If you want to participate in the election, you have to meet some criteria. The minimum age is 16 years, and only people with German citizenship or that of an EU member state are entitled to vote. In addition, a residence in Hanover is a prerequisite for at least three months, and voters must be registered in the electoral register or apply for a ballot.

When lending, the citizens have the free choice: whether in the voting cabin or conveniently by postal voting, the possibilities are versatile. The election notification and a valid ID document are important. In this election, not only the mayor is elected, but also the members of the city council, the district councils, the regional assembly and the regional president.

a look into the past

The last mayor election already brought about changes. Belit Onay voted in November 2019 and prevailed against the CDU candidate Eckhard Scholz with 52.9 %. He not only took over the highest political office in Hanover, but also made the Lower Saxony capital the second state capital with a green mayor, to Stuttgart. The n-tv particularly emphasizes how the choice of Onay marked a turn for the SPD, which after over 70 years May have lost mayor position.

Onay's term of office was originally seven years after it was shortened by the state government. From 2024 it will be extended to eight years, which enables it to be more stable in urban politics. The mayor's duties are diverse: it represents the city to the outside world, bears political and organizational responsibility, guides the administration and ensures that the decisions of the council are implemented. These aspects are crucial for everyday life in Hanover.

The municipal election year 2026

The mayor election is only part of the Lower Saxony local elections that take place every five years. The last election took place on September 12, 2021. The new MPs will be active from November 1, 2021 and their term ends on October 31, 2026. Information on earlier elections can be found on the side of the Landesacht upcoming elections only increased.

How the situation in Hanover will develop remains to be seen. The political events are already shaped by excitement and uncertainty - a good reason to go to the urns on September 13, 2026 and have a say!