The Kommunalwahl (municipal election) of 2024 in the Regionalverband Saarbrücken has been declared invalid and must be repeated. This follows a decision on Monday by the Oberverwaltungsgericht (Higher Administrative Court) rejecting an appeal from the Landesverwaltungsamt (State Administration Office). The court confirmed a previous ruling requiring the Landesverwaltungsamt to declare the election invalid, according to a report from the Saarbrücker Zeitung.
Timing of Re-election Unclear
The decision of the Oberverwaltungsgericht is final, according to the Innenministerium (Interior Ministry). The Landesverwaltungsamt is currently examining whether to file an Anhörungsrüge (hearing objection) as an extraordinary legal remedy.
A fresh election date has not yet been set. First, the Landesverwaltungsamt, which reports to the Innenministerium, must officially declare the election invalid. The decision by the OVG does not affect the Stadtratswahl (city council election) in Saarbrücken.
Mixed Reactions from Political Parties
The decision has prompted varied responses from political parties. Josef Dörr, Kreisverbandsvorsitzende (district chairman) of the AfD Saarbrücken-Land, expressed little surprise, stating, “But better late than never.”
The SPD had hoped the Oberverwaltungsgericht would allow the Landesverwaltungsamt’s revision. Stephan Schmidt, SPD-Fraktionsvorsitzende (SPD parliamentary group chairman) in the Regionalversammlung, said, “We are disappointed, but we must accept it.”
The CDU similarly stated it would accept the decision, but noted that citizens of the Regionalverband would bear the consequences of internal conflicts within the AfD. Peter Strobel, stellvertretender CDU-Fraktionsvorsitzende (deputy CDU parliamentary group chairman) in the Regionalversammlung, commented that such disputes should have been resolved internally, not “at the expense of the voters.”
Greens Optimistic, FDP Regrets Short-Notice Re-election
The Grünen (Greens) expressed optimism, stating they had performed well in the Regionalversammlung over the past two years and were confident voters would recognize this in a new election. Anne Lahoda, Grünen-Fraktionsvorsitzende (Greens parliamentary group chairwoman), said, “We look forward to a new election.”
The FDP in the Regionalversammlung regretted that a re-election would be held shortly before the Landtagswahl (state election). Roland König, FDP-Vorsitzende (FDP chairman) in the Regionalversammlung, stated that a divided party and an overwhelmed administration would create additional effort and costs for other parties.
Bunt.Saar also reacted to the decision of the Oberverwaltungsgericht, calling it correct and a sign of a functioning democracy.
Discussion Regarding Candidate Lists
The AfD had been excluded from the Kommunalwahlen (municipal elections) to the Regionalversammlung in 2024 given that it submitted two candidate lists. The AfD subsequently challenged this decision and initially succeeded in a lower court, arguing that only the first list was valid. The Landesverwaltungsamt appealed this ruling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the need for a re-election?
The Kommunalwahl 2024 in the Regionalverband Saarbrücken must be repeated because the AfD was incorrectly excluded from the election due to the submission of two candidate lists.
What is the next step in the process?
The Landesverwaltungsamt must officially declare the election invalid before a new election date can be set.
Will this decision impact other elections in Saarbrücken?
According to the Innenministerium, the decision of the OVG does not affect the Stadtratswahl (city council election) in Saarbrücken.
As the legal challenges have been exhausted, will the Regionalverband Saarbrücken be able to move forward with a fair and representative election?
