Suche
Mein Konto
Neukölln in turmoil: Hikel renounces his candidacy for mayor!
Martin Hikel will not run for district mayor in Neukölln in 2026 after a controversial nomination.
Neukölln in turmoil: Hikel renounces his candidacy for mayor!
A significant rethink is emerging within the Berlin SPD. Martin Hikel, the district mayor of Neukölln, has announced that he will not run as a candidate again in 2026. This follows a disappointing result in the most recent candidate election, which took place on Saturday, where Hikel received just 68.5 percent of the vote. This decision is not only a setback for Hikel personally, but is also described by the SPD Neukölln as a “super disaster”.
Criticism of Hikel has come in recent weeks from both the party left and the Jusos. Their accusations were directed in particular at his high-profile media appearances during operations against criminal clans in Neukölln. In an official statement, Hikel said that the nomination result did not provide enough tailwind for a successful election campaign. Nevertheless, he plans to work at full capacity until the end of his term in office.
Reactions from the party
The SPD Neukölln thanked Hikel for his work and regrets his decision. The fact that some critics may have consciously tried to persuade Hikel to take this step remains unclear. The district SPD is also planning to reorganize its top team in the district in order to achieve a stronger position for the coming elections.
Hikel is also on parental leave until the end of the year. It remains to be seen whether he will remain state party leader. On November 15th, the Berlin SPD will choose Steffen Krach as the top candidate for the upcoming elections in Berlin.
Political environment and decisions
Another interesting aspect is that the former governing mayor and Hikel's predecessor, Franziska Giffey, was not nominated for the district list. This could mean that she could miss out on entering the House of Representatives in 2026. Giffey previously had a significant political career, particularly as mayor of Neukölln, and her departure could have far-reaching consequences for the party.
The current developments show how the balance of power within the Berlin SPD is shifting and how important it is for the party to respond to internal criticism and reposition itself. This dynamic could have a significant impact on the upcoming elections in the capital.