Runoff election in Kiel: Who will be the new mayor?

Runoff election in Kiel: Who will be the new mayor?

Today the decision on the new mayor's office will be made in Kiel. As part of the Runoff election on December 7, 2025 The two candidates are Gerrit Derkowski, who is independent and receives support from the CDU and FDP, and Samet Yilmaz from the Greens. Both received the most votes in the main election, but not an absolute majority.

Of the approximately 190,000 people in Kiel who are eligible to vote, around 7,500 people have already taken part in the instant vote, which was offered from November 20th to December 5th. In addition, over 37,000 applications for postal voting were submitted. This election Sunday, polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters must bring their ID card and voter notification from the main election before the counting of votes begins.

Results of the main election

In the first round of voting, 93,153 eligible voters cast their votes, resulting in a remarkable turnout of 48.9 percent. Kiel has also set new standards in this election, as this is the highest voter turnout that has ever been achieved in mayoral elections. The Ravensberg-Brunswik-Düsternbrook district was particularly active with a voter turnout of 62.1 percent, while in Kiel-Gaarden only 23.19 percent of voters went to the polls.

Topics and positions of the candidates

A central issue that concerns both candidates is the controversial light rail system. Gerrit Derkowski sees the project as too expensive and instead advocates for a mobility concept that relies more on buses and ferry connections. In contrast, Samet Yilmaz sees the light rail as a “game changer” for mobility in Kiel and argues that the city has a low financial contribution to the project.

The counting of votes will take place on the evening of December 7th. The decision as to who will lead the city of Kiel in the future remains exciting until this point. Loud Report The decision will be announced at 6 p.m. In Germany, the legal requirements for holding local elections apply, which are regulated differently from state to state, but everyone eligible to vote can be sure that their vote counts.

Whatever the outcome, the coming hours will bring a groundbreaking decision for Kiel that could have a significant impact on the city's future development. A good hand when voting is required here, because local politics is often closer to the citizens than you think. Voter turnout is generally lower than in state or federal elections, but the current turnout promises a lively exchange and an engaged citizenry. This shows that the people of Kiele want to have a say when it comes to their city!