Hamburg Bürgerschaft Election 2025: Overview and Candidates
Introduction
On March 2, 2025, Hamburg will hold elections for its Bürgerschaft, the city-state’s parliament. Approximately 1.3 million eligible voters will determine the political direction of the city. Currently, a coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Green Party governs the city.
The Bürgerschaft
The Bürgerschaft is elected every five years and has at least 121 members. It is the city-state’s parliament and has a wide range of responsibilities, including passing laws, approving the budget, and addressing municipal issues such as public transportation.
Current Political Landscape
The current ruling coalition consists of the SPD and the Greens. Other parties represented in the Bürgerschaft include the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), The Left, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), and four independent members. Eleven additional parties have been approved to contest the upcoming election, including the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Volt, and the Bürgerliche Sammlung (BSW).
Polling Data
According to a recent HamburgTrend survey by research institute Infratest dimap, the SPD leads in all areas of competence among Hamburg residents. It is particularly popular for its policies on social justice and family affairs. The Greens score well on climate and transportation issues, while the CDU is seen as strong on the economy and internal security.
Key Issues
The survey also identified the most pressing problems in Hamburg as mobility, traffic, and housing. These topics took center stage in a public debate between the candidates from the SPD, Greens, and CDU.
The Wahl-O-Mat
Undecided voters can use the Wahl-O-Mat to compare party positions. The tool features 38 statements and allows voters to see where the parties stand on various issues.
Voting System
Hamburg has 17 electoral districts where parties compete for 121 seats in the parliament. Of these, 71 are allocated through multi-member electoral districts, meaning that three to five candidates with the most votes enter the Bürgerschaft directly. The remaining 50 seats are distributed through state lists.
Parties must receive at least five percent of the vote to enter the parliament. Seats are allocated proportionally. Parties can obtain "excess mandates" if they receive more votes through electoral districts than through the state list. If this shifts the percentage distribution of seats significantly, the parliament is expanded by "compensation mandates." As a result, the Bürgerschaft can have more than 121 seats.
Current Prognoses
The SPD won 39.2% of the vote in the previous election five years ago. It is likely to remain the strongest party in this election as well. The HamburgTrend poll gives them 31%, followed by the Greens at 20% and the CDU at 18%. A continuation of the current coalition is the most probable outcome, although it could fall short of an absolute majority.
Conservative and right-wing parties have gained significant votes in the past five years. The CDU has increased by approximately six percentage points, while the AfD has gained around four.
Popularity of the Mayor
Peter Tschentscher of the SPD enjoys high popularity ratings, which contributes to the likelihood of political continuity. In polls, he receives 44% support, significantly ahead of his competitors, Katharina Fegebank of the Greens and Dennis Thering of the CDU.
Voting Details
The election will take place on March 2, 2025, with polling stations open from 8 am to 6 pm. All individuals aged 16 or older who have been registered as residents in Hamburg for at least three months are eligible to vote. As of June 2024, approximately 1.3 million people were registered. Those who have been deprived of voting rights by a court are excluded.
Voters who are not registered can register until February 28, 2025. In exceptional cases, registration is still possible until 3 pm on election day. Postal voting follows similar rules as in the federal Bundestag election, with different deadlines.
Types of Votes
In the Bürgerschaft election, voters cast a total of ten votes. Five votes, known as "first votes," are cast on the red ballot for the constituency lists. These votes are used to elect candidates from the respective constituency. Votes can be split as desired.
Second Votes
The remaining five votes are "second votes" and are cast on the yellow ballot for the state lists. These votes elect parties or individuals who run statewide. For those confused by the vote distribution, a sample ballot is available on the Hamburg city website for guidance.
The Senate
The First Mayor is part of the Hamburg Senate, which is elected by the parliament. In addition to the Mayor, eleven Senators are part of the Senate, each responsible for a specific government department. Peter Tschentscher currently holds the position of First Mayor, while Katharina Fegebank of the Greens serves as Second Mayor.
