On Sunday, March 15, many residents of the state capital of Wiesbaden turned out to exercise their right to vote. With a voter turnout of 48.1 percent, participation was higher than in the previous local election in 2021, which saw a turnout of 41.8 percent. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the trip to the polls and cast their votes. Voting is a form of direct civic participation and is vital to our democracy. 

I know that many eligible voters do not vote because they feel that their participation makes no difference. But that is a fallacy. Local politics takes place right on our doorsteps—literally—because even the sidewalk in front of our homes is a local matter. And that is why local politics concerns everyone—regardless of age, by the way. It is about citizens expressing how we envision our Wiesbaden, how we want to live in the city—and how it should develop.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped organize the election, the volunteer election workers, and the city employees for their hard work, dedication, and commitment. On behalf of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, I would also like to thank all voters and all those who ran for office, who exercised the core principle of democracy—the right to vote—and took the time to participate in the election.

Sincerely

Gert-Uwe Mende
Lord Mayor