2027 mayoral election in Leipzig: Independent candidate Ralf Kohl wants to become ‘Senior citizen’ + Video

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Now that the AfD has also put forward a candidate, Ralf Kohl is the fifteenth contender for the post of Lord Mayor of Leipzig for the next seven years. Although that isn’t quite accurate – as will become clear later in the interview – Ralf Kohl wants to become ‘Oberbürger’ (Senior citizen); after all, the title of ‘Meister’ (Master) has to be earned first.

Ralf Kohl is an independent and is throwing his hat into the ring under the slogan ‘WE are LEIPZIGERS’. He is perhaps the best-known candidate who has never been elected. At the very least, he has been collecting signatures of support since 2009, with varying results in every state and federal election. Once he has reached the required number, he will stand for election. His approach is, as the author likes to call it, “radical citizen participation”. He wants to consult and involve the citizens of Leipzig at all times and in all decisions. At least, that was his pledge during the last state election.

The slogan for Ralf Kohl’s candidacy has already been decided. Photo: Thomas Köhler

We met Ralf Kohl on 11 October at the Neustädter Markt in Leipzig and spoke to him.

The interview

Ralf Kohl, you’ve stood as a candidate in various elections here in Leipzig quite often. Please tell us: you now want to stand for the office of Lord Mayor. What’s motivating you?

Well, first, I must correct you – it’s a Lord Mayor’s election. The ‘champion’ title must be protected, after all.

Yes, but what’s motivating you to stand?

The main reason is that I asked the incumbent Lord Mayor – who’s been in office for over seven years, so I can hand over the ‘champion’ title – whether he’d step down half a year early so we don’t have a winter election campaign. And he said no. That’s my motivation for standing now – to step down half a year earlier so that we can finally have an autumn election again.

Now, candidates who don’t have a party represented on the city council or in the state parliament are facing a few difficulties. They’ll need to gather some signatures first. People have to go to the town hall or the electoral office to submit these signatures of support. Do you think you’ll manage it, and what do you intend to do to make it happen?

That’s a good question; as I said, it’s something that needs to be done. I must admit I don’t have a proper strategy for it yet.

What would be the main thing you’d do for Leipzig if you were to become Lord Mayor?

Well, there are certainly issues – for example, one suggestion would be to introduce a 30 km/h speed limit throughout Leipzig. That’s one issue, for instance, that I’d also like to discuss with the other candidates. I’ve already discussed this with people who, for example, run a taxi company or who have to drive a lot here in the city, because it’s easy to miss a sign when there are roadworks, or another 30 sign, or a school, or something like that. It’s just easily overlooked. It’s good if you know you can only drive at 30. And then we should really signpost the stretches where you can drive faster – say, at 50 or 60 km/h. That might also be cost-effective for the city.

Most candidates are now saying there’s a great deal to be done in the economic and social spheres. Are there any specific measures you’d take, or priorities you’d favour?

Well, as I said, my focus is always on citizen participation. And so, first, we’d need to listen to the citizens’ views, take them on board and incorporate them into local politics. And it’s exactly the same with the economy. And the best thing is to get everyone round the table together. That’s why we’re holding this event here today, where we’ve said we’ll start by inviting all the candidates for the office of Lord Mayor so that they can engage in dialogue with the citizens.

One last question – I’ve asked every candidate this so far. Assuming you were to become Lord Mayor, or as you say, ‘Oberbürger’. What would Leipzig look like after a seven-year term in office? What would your vision be?

As I said, that’s six and a half years from now – let’s stick to that for now. And I don’t think it’s possible these days to make any firm predictions about how things will develop. In any case, it would be important to me that the citizens are satisfied with whoever is ultimately elected to the post.

Right, thank you very much.

Conclusion: It remains to be seen whether Ralf Kohl, Fabian Schmidt, Lars Kulesch and Falk Fiebig will manage to secure the necessary supporting signatures for official nomination. Until then, we’re working on the basis of fifteen candidates at present, with a very low proportion of women. We’ll be reporting on the signature-gathering campaigns, the confirmation by the local election committee and the ‘heated’ election campaign phase.