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Altenstadt (dpa / lhe) - The local elections on March 14th will also decide on the new composition of the local advisory councils.

The local advisory board of Altenstadt-Waldsiedlung in the Wetterau district can look back on a period that was at times sensational: the board hit the headlines nationwide in 2019 because it had elected a representative of the right-wing extremist NPD as local mayor.

In view of the wave of outrage, this was canceled a little later.

"It was definitely exciting and sometimes turbulent," reports Tatjana Cyrulnikov (CDU), who was elected the new mayor after the scandal, about the first time in office.

«But thank God the situation calmed down again and we were able to get back to practical work after a very short time.

Then it was relatively relaxed, ”says the 24-year-old.

The voluntary local advisory councils have an advisory function and are supposed to represent the interests of the citizens of a local part towards the magistrate or administration.

The members appoint a chairman, the mayor.

The work of these bodies usually receives little attention across local borders - in the Altenstadt case it was different for at least a few weeks.

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The NPD politician Stefan Jagsch, deputy state chairman of the right-wing extremist party in Hesse, was elected mayor by the representatives of the CDU, SPD and FDP local advisory councils who were present at the time.

They justified the choice, among other things, with a lack of other candidates.

The party book played no role.

After the waves had calmed down again, the local advisory board of Waldsiedlung Cyrulnikov took care of "typical" issues of such a body such as potholes or traffic volume.

"But we also tried to initiate new topics."

For example, to make a new football field or to ensure that no concrete plant may be built in the village.

"What was also very, very important to me: That the mutual support with the associations and the parishes with the local advisory board could be rediscovered and further developed."

Although the local advisory board does not have that many options, "you can still initiate something," said Cyrulnikov.

When asked whether she could envisage a second term in office, the student said: “I don't rule it out.

For me it really depends on the elected local council members. "

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The scandal of 2019 is still preoccupying the Gießen administrative court: NPD politician Jagsch sued against being voted out of office.

A decision in the case is expected soon, according to a court spokesman.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210227-99-615178 / 2