Dusseldorf persists in backing Keller as mayor and selects candidates for municipal elections
In a gathering of over 200 representatives on March 15, the CDU district association in Niederkassel convened to set the course for the September local elections. The meeting marked a significant moment in the political landscape of the region, with the re-nomination of Stephan Keller as the mayoral candidate and the determination of candidates for the 41 electoral districts.
Stephan Keller, the incumbent mayor, expressed his enthusiasm for a second term and emphasized his commitment to empathy and an open ear for citizens' concerns. His speech highlighted his achievements in various areas, including security, cleanliness, low fees, good childcare, economic development, the implementation of a 5G network, fiber optic expansion, digitalization of the administration, housing construction, climate protection, and the transformation of the administration.
The elections for the mayoral candidate and further candidates were held in secret, unlike the elections for the 41 electoral districts, which were not mentioned as being held in secret. In the electoral district of Kaiserswerth, Lohausen, and Stockum, Andreas Paul Stieber and Stefan Golißa ran as candidates. The results revealed that Andreas Paul Stieber won the runoff with 128 votes, while Stefan Golißa received 78 votes in the runoff.
Despite no gender quota being paid attention to in the CDU's candidate selection for the 41 electoral districts, the party managed to achieve a third of women among its constituency candidates. However, the CDU remains heavily male-dominated among its candidates.
The elections for the 41 electoral districts were conducted in a unique manner, with attendees having to visit voting booths one by one to cast their ballots. Marking an 'X' on the ballot was prohibited, leading to a lengthy process.
Thomas Jarzombek, chairman of the CDU Düsseldorf district association, welcomed everyone and spoke about the current developments in Berlin. He also congratulated Stephan Keller on his re-election as mayor, which was achieved with an overwhelming majority of 210 votes out of 223, equating to a 94.2% approval rating.
The meeting aimed to set the course for the September local elections, with no opposing candidates in 40 out of the 41 electoral districts, as previously clarified in local associations. The CDU district board is now poised to embark on a challenging journey towards the local elections, with a diverse slate of candidates and a committed leader in Stephan Keller.
