Deselection of Mayor Feldmann!

New start for Frankfurt”, is written on the posters with which a black-red-green-yellow-purple party alliance is calling for Frankfurt Mayor Peter Feldmann (SPD) to be voted out of office on November 6th.

There is also a second motif, this time entirely in black and white and with the text: "We'll forget all the colors for a cross." 12,000 of these posters are to be hung all over Frankfurt from next weekend.

There are also 250,000 flyers, a joint website and a social media campaign.

Rainer Schulz

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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Representatives of the Roman coalition of Greens, SPD, FDP and Volt, together with the largest opposition party CDU, explained on Monday afternoon how the campaign to vote out is supposed to run.

Representatives of all parties emphasized that party political content should take a back seat in order to achieve the goal of voting out the mayor together on November 6th.

Joint information stands on squares and sidewalks should also emphasize this unity.

However, the parties are free to set their own priorities.

"It's about the mayor on the one hand and the city on the other," said SPD chairman Mike Josef.

When asked whether, as he had planned, it had also been possible to organize a civil society campaign that supported the deselection with prominent voices from the bourgeoisie, associations and clubs, Josef replied that the parties made the "first serve": " I'm assuming there's still a lot of support to come."

"People can't get enough of posters"

The cost of the campaign is estimated at between 50,000 and 75,000 euros.

However, the mayor considers it more important to provide financial support for social purposes than to mobilize against his deselection.

Feldmann had his spokesman announce on Monday that Frankfurt did not need any decision-making aids.

He called on his supporters: "Don't collect for me, collect for the panels.

People don't get fed up with posters."

Such and similar statements by the mayor were criticized by the representatives of the deselection campaign.

Feldmann wrongly claims commitment to social issues, said Green party leader Julia Frank.

The mayor places topics that the coalition is already working on.

Josef added: "These topics are not intended for the ego trip of an individual." Many people have completely different concerns than the voting out of the mayor.

"The bad thing is that he's speculating on it," said Josef.

Meanwhile, the coalition is working on sustainable solutions to the energy crisis and other pressing issues.

"Social Frankfurt was before him and is still after him," said CDU chairman Uwe Becker.

"Failed on the steps of Paulskirche"

The representatives of the party alliance explained once again why they see no other way out than to vote out the mayor, who is suspected of corruption and who will have to answer in court from October 18th.

Frank criticized that Feldmann kept breaking his word and had lost his credibility.

That's why his announcement that he wants to resign voluntarily in January should not be believed, especially since he has already distanced himself from it.

Becker described Feldmann's behavior as "a disgrace to the city".

Political offices are associated with a role model function.

"There is no politically decent way from the dock to the magistrate."

Anyone who, like Feldmann, speaks of the values ​​of the Paulskirche must also be measured by them.

"He failed on the steps of the Paulskirche," said Becker.

He is unworthy and paralyzing for Frankfurt, which needs a strong and effective mayor.

High hurdles

The party alliance campaigned to vote “yes” in the deselection on November 6 and to use postal voting in the next few weeks.

It is eagerly awaited whether the quorum will be reached.

If the deselection procedure is to be successful, 30 percent of those entitled to vote must agree.

All speakers expressed their confidence that this hurdle will be overcome.

"The quorum is high, but feasible if we all stand together," said Deputy FDP Chairman Sebastian Papke.

The posters should make it visible in the cityscape that the voting date is approaching: "Our base is really keen to put up the posters," said Frank.

Becker appealed to the citizens to make use of their right to vote: “With a yes you vote out the mayor.

It couldn't be easier.” Voters could end the term now or in 2024, when the next regular election date is due.

"Anyone who is so vehemently opposed to the deselection would not have resigned in January either."