Frankfurt's mayor, Peter Feldmann (SPD), who has been accused of corruption, intends to officially hand in his announced resignation next week.

Feldmann said on Friday that he was resigning from office at the end of January.

He will submit two applications for two possible ways prescribed by law.

"This means that even the biggest skeptics can be sure that I'm serious," said the mayor. 

He justified the appointment in January with the fact that he wanted to hand over an orderly house.

"I have no reason to flee," he said.

An immediate resignation would have left this impression.

He will continue to appear less publicly, but pointed out that he has duties and will fulfill them.

Above all, dates to commemorate National Socialist crimes remained close to his heart.   

"You're mayor completely or not at all," he said, emphasizing how much he "loves the job."

He took stock for a few minutes and wrote of the socio-political successes that he had contributed to, relieving low-income families by waiving day-care center fees and free entry to public baths or the zoo.

However, the city councilors of Hesse's largest city still have to approve the application for retirement under Section 76a of the Hessian Municipal Code (HGO) for special reasons.

Only then is he legally secure.

When this will be was initially unclear.

The simultaneous deselection procedure, which is currently being carried out against the 63-year-old, is independent of the application.

Trial on October 18

Feldmann announced his retirement on Tuesday.

"I would like to save the city of Frankfurt an agonizing and expensive vote-out procedure - and take the opportunity to bring my official business to a proper conclusion after more than ten years.

I will hand over an orderly house,” he explained.

A trial against Feldmann begins on October 18 at the Frankfurt Regional Court.

He is accused of taking advantage.

Feldmann was first elected mayor in 2012 and was confirmed in office for a further six years in 2018.

He claimed that he "didn't even calculate" how he would be financially situated in the future and emphasized that he was firmly convinced that he was not corrupt and guilty as charged.