Hello Leipzig: Here’s how Wednesday 16 September 2026 begins

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Today’s state parliament session will have an impact on future election results. Statistically speaking, this involves around 120,000 votes from the 16-and-over age group. On the square in front of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, young people of this age can try their hand today at driving the Bimmel tram to see if it’s a career option – and the day also has a few diversions in store to ensure things run more smoothly in future.

Decision on voting from the age of 16

Lowering the voting age to 16 is one of the key issues being discussed today in the Saxon State Parliament. During its 33rd sitting of the current legislative term, a vote is to be held on a corresponding draft bill tabled by the Die Linke parliamentary group. The basis for the debate is the draft bill with document number 8/4218. It is entitled ‘Act to Lower the Voting Age in the Free State of Saxony to 16 Years of Age (Saxon Voting Age 16 Act)’.

The agenda includes the second reading, a clause-by-clause vote and, subsequently, the final vote. The draft bill provides that the right to stand for election and the right to vote shall commence upon reaching the age of 16. Eligibility for election, however, is to remain subject to a minimum age of 18. Corresponding amendments are also planned for the regulations governing citizens’ petitions, initiatives and referendums, as well as for the Saxon Electoral Act.

Before the parliament decides on this matter, several other items are on the agenda. To begin with, under agenda item 1, a member of the Landtag is to be elected to the Saxon Cultural Senate. Subsequently, the Minister for the Environment and Agriculture, Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch, will deliver a government policy statement entitled ‘Success through Decision-Making – Nature Conservation through Adaptation, Compensation and Judgement’. Agenda item 3 will feature three topical debates on the automotive industry, war and peace, and fuel prices. Only then will the plenary session address the voting age.

Those interested can also attend today’s plenary session in person. According to the State Parliament, no prior registration is required for individuals. The visitors’ gallery offers up to 150 seats. A photo ID must be presented for admission. Due to ongoing construction work, the public entrance to the new building housing the plenary chamber is currently accessible only from the Elbe side. Admission begins today at 11.15 am. Anyone who does not wish to travel to Dresden can follow the proceedings via the State Parliament’s live webcast, which includes live subtitles.

Broadband brings traffic to a standstill

The roll-out of broadband is intended to speed up data flow. However, this is initially causing traffic delays. From today, motorists in Markranstädt must prepare for a new traffic restriction. According to the town council, Schkeuditzer Straße/B186 will be completely closed from today until 30 September 2026 inclusive.

The section affected is between the level crossing and ‘Am Hopfenteich’, as well as the junction with Ziegelstraße. The closure will primarily affect commuters and traffic west of Leipzig. Road users should follow the signposted diversion on site and allow for extra journey time.

Chemnitz commuters must change routes

Rail passengers must also prepare for timetable changes and longer journey times once again. According to the Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn (MRB), several trains on the RE6 line between Geithain and Chemnitz Central Station will be cancelled until the morning of 23 September 2026 due to track and points works on the rail link to Chemnitz, which is vital for Leipzig. Buses will be provided to replace the cancelled services.

The RE6 connects Leipzig Central Station to Chemnitz Central Station via Leipzig-Liebertwolkwitz, Belgershain, Bad Lausick, Geithain, Narsdorf and Burgstädt. The construction work will not affect all services throughout the entire period, but only certain evening and night services. For example, affected RE6 trains travelling towards Chemnitz will depart from Leipzig Central Station at 8.21 pm, 9.21 pm, 10.21 pm and 11.37 pm respectively. In Geithain, the replacement buses depart at 21:04, 22:04, 23:04 and 00:17 and arrive at Chemnitz Central Station at 22:09, 23:09, 0.09 am and 1.22 am respectively.

In the opposite direction, replacement services depart from Chemnitz Central Station at the Bahnhofstraße stop, platform 108, at 7.47 pm, 8.47 pm and 10.37 pm. The buses arrive in Geithain at 8.52 pm, 9.52 pm and 11.42 pm respectively. From there, the corresponding RE6 trains continue on to Leipzig at 9.01 pm, 10.01 pm and 11.51 pm, arriving at Leipzig Central Station at 9.33 pm, 10.33 pm and 12.25 am respectively. The replacement buses stop at Narsdorf and Burgstädt along the way. MRB points out that there are restrictions on carrying bicycles on these buses.

Leipzig on the move

After so many diversions, the question now is: where will we be heading in future – and, above all, how? This question is the focus of a day of action today centred on personal, commercial and future mobility, as Leipzig takes part in European Mobility Week, which begins today. Under the title ‘Leipzig in Motion’, the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the Leipzig Transport Authority (LVB) and the Central German Transport Association (MDV) are inviting people to the IHK premises at Goerdelerring 5, 04109 Leipzig.

The event is aimed at business owners as well as members of the public of all generations. The event is free of charge for visitors, and no registration is required. In terms of content, ‘Moving Leipzig’ aims to bring together various aspects of mobility. Companies and other stakeholders will be presenting services and projects relating to passenger and goods transport in the car park in front of the IHK. The announced programme includes a vehicle exhibition, a locomotive simulator and a cycling circuit. There will also be information on training and careers in mobility and logistics, as well as on workplace mobility.

Workshops, discussions and dialogue sessions are designed to provide an opportunity to explore individual topics in greater depth. Among other things, the HierWirken! project offers a glimpse into the future: a forum on corporate carbon footprint assessment is scheduled for 4.00 pm, aimed specifically at businesses. With its full programme available to view HERE ONLINE, the event brings together the topics of public transport with issues relating to commercial transport, logistics and future mobility developments, which are also among the key themes of Leipzig’s urban development.