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Protest in the Vechta district: fragmentation of constituencies on the brink!
The Vechta district council is protesting against the planned constituency reform in 2025, which endangers historical structures and threatens identity in the district.
Protest in the Vechta district: fragmentation of constituencies on the brink!
The planned constituency reform is causing a stir in Lower Saxony, especially in the Vechta district. Here the district council passed a clear resolution that opposes the threat of the district being divided into three parts. OM Online reports that the corresponding reform was proposed by the state returning officer, based on mathematical criteria for the equal distribution of eligible voters. The aim is to reach around 68,000 eligible voters per constituency.
The special thing about the resolution is that it is not directed against the reorganization itself, but specifically against the drafting of the state returning officer. Critics complain that the new concept does not sufficiently take into account important aspects such as the citizens' sense of identity, established structures and the political representation of the communities.
The effects for Vechta and Cloppenburg
Specifically, the proposal envisages reducing the size of the Vechta constituency (68) by transferring the municipalities of Goldenstedt and Visbek to constituency 64 (Oldenburg-Land). In addition, the southern district municipalities of Damme and Neuenkirchen-Vörden already belong to constituency 73 (Bersenbrück). This leads to an unwanted division of the district.
A look at the neighboring Cloppenburg district further clarifies the situation: Here, constituency 66 (Cloppenburg-Nord) is to be limited to the Cloppenburg area, while Emstek is to be added. Many see this reform as unnecessary because the current distribution of eligible voters does not provide enough reasons for a new regulation Panoramic view of Lower Saxony notes.
The big picture – constituency reform in Lower Saxony
The discussion about the reorganization is part of a more comprehensive reform that is to be initiated for the 2027 state elections in Lower Saxony. The state returning officer Markus Steinmetz proposes to redesign 62 of 87 constituencies. The aim of this reform is to better take population conditions into account to ensure a fair election.
What is particularly striking is that the east of Lower Saxony is to give up two constituencies in order to strengthen the Weser-Ems region. NDR reports that many constituencies are also being considered for redistricting, although they are largely average.
The current debate also has a constitutional dimension: the State Court of Justice has found that in many constituencies the number of eligible voters deviates greatly from the average. This means that the state parliament is forced to make a “massive intervention” in the constituency structure in order to protect the rights of those entitled to vote. The next state election is expected to take place between July and November 2027.
Overall, it remains to be seen what solution will be found for the Vechta district and whether the state returning officer's suggestions will prevail. A more uniform appearance in the Weser-Ems region could significantly improve the chances of a positive state parliament decision.