Following the recent citizenship election in Hamburg, the SPD, led by Mayor Peter Tschentscher, is quickly deciding between coalition partners, the Greens or the CDU. Discussions are set to begin soon, with the aim of forming a new coalition by late April. While the SPD favors continuing its alliance with the Greens, challenges like security and migration policies need addressing. The election results also reflect a shift in voter sentiment, with gains for the Left and AfD, while the FDP struggled significantly.
Red-Green or Red-Black? This pivotal question arises following the recent citizenship election in Hamburg. The SPD, led by Mayor Peter Tschentscher, is in a position to choose their coalition partner for future governance in the Senate, and they aim to make this decision swiftly.
In a decisive move, the state board met the evening after the electoral victory to extend invitations for exploratory discussions first to the Greens and subsequently to the CDU. A spokesperson emphasized that these conversations should commence promptly, with specific dates currently being scheduled. It’s anticipated that discussions could begin by the end of the week.
Swift Coalition Formation Targeted by Late April
The SPD is determined to establish a new coalition by the end of April at the latest. Melanie Leonhard, the SPD state chair, expressed to NDR, “We will act quickly, very quickly. We don’t want to linger in uncertainty for long. Clarity is essential.” In relation to negotiations with the Greens, Leonhard noted, “There are several issues we need to reevaluate compared to five years ago, notably security, traffic matters, and our position in the Bundesrat.”
Following a discussion with SPD federal leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken in Berlin, Mayor Tschentscher remarked, “We are pleased to have two potential coalition paths, either with the Greens or the CDU.”
Greens: The Preferred Coalition Partner for Tschentscher
The first option involves continuing the longstanding coalition with the Greens, which has been in place since 2015. However, new challenges have emerged, including internal security and irregular migration. The SPD is keen to clarify how Hamburg will vote in the Bundesrat in collaboration with the Greens moving forward.
CDU Engaged in Serious Dialogue
From a mathematical perspective, a Red-Black coalition is also feasible, prompting discussions with the CDU. Tschentscher stated, “We are not merely glancing at this option.” However, he also expressed his discontent with several actions taken by the Union in the lead-up to the federal elections concerning migration policy.
Different Perspectives on Voter Intentions
CDU’s leading candidate, Dennis Thering, believes Hamburg’s electorate has called for a shift in direction. Conversely, Green candidate Katharina Fegebank maintains that there is a clear mandate for the continuation of the Red-Green alliance in governance.
Green Leadership Sets Clear Expectations
Dominik Lorenzen, co-leader of the Green faction, asserted that the Greens should not accept a reduction in their authority or any new protocols regarding behavior in the Bundesrat. He stressed the importance of retaining control over the transport, energy, and environmental departments, while remaining open to compromise on certain issues.
Future Governance without a Two-Thirds Majority
Regardless of the new coalition’s structure, Hamburg’s mayor must forgo the previous comfortable two-thirds majority and brace for a bolstered opposition in the citizenship.
Image Series
Voter Movement in the Hamburg Citizenship Election
Strengthened Presence of Left and AfD
On one hand, the Left party has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing ten percent support in Hamburg for the first time, with over eleven percent of the vote. The AfD has also made gains, although its result of seven and a half percent remains significantly below the national average.
Challenges for FDP, BSW, and Volt
The FDP has once again failed to clear the five percent threshold, securing only 2.3 percent, marking its lowest performance in a citizenship election to date. The BSW also fell short in its first attempt in Hamburg, garnering just 1.7 percent. Volt fared slightly better with 3.2 percent.
In the aftermath of the citizenship election, Hamburg’s First Mayor indicated a desire to continue governing alongside the Greens, contingent on their support for the SPD’s migration policy in the Bundesrat.
As the dust settles on the citizenship election, it is now provisionally confirmed which 121 politicians will serve in the citizenship.
What insights do political leaders have regarding the results of the citizenship election in Hamburg?
For detailed election results pertaining to the citizenship election in Hamburg, covering districts, electoral areas, and boroughs, please check back as the counting concludes.
The outcome of the citizenship election is being interpreted as a vote of confidence, according to Anja Günther, editor-in-chief of NDR state broadcasting in Hamburg.
Hamburg has ushered in a new citizenship. Stay tuned for comprehensive information, news, and reactions surrounding the election.
This topic in the program:
NDR Television | Hamburg Journal | 03.03.2025 | 19:30
This matter was reported by NDR in the ‘Hamburg Journal’ on March 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM.