On March 2, 2025, the city-state of Hamburg will hold a crucial election to choose a new Bürgerschaft, or parliament. Approximately 1.3 million eligible voters will play a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the region. Currently, Hamburg is governed by a coalition formed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens.

What is the Bürgerschaft Election?

The Bürgerschaft election is a pivotal event where members of the Hamburg parliament are elected. The Bürgerschaft has a broad range of responsibilities, including legislative functions, budget decisions, and handling local issues such as public transport. A minimum of 121 representatives will be elected, serving a five-year term. The Bürgerschaft is also responsible for electing the Senate, which comprises two mayors and eleven senators tasked with implementing laws.

Participating Parties and Their Positions

Currently, Hamburg's parliament consists of the SPD, the Greens, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Left Party, and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), along with four independent representatives. For the upcoming election, eleven additional parties, including the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Volt, and the BSW, have been granted eligibility to participate. According to the latest HamburgTrend survey conducted by Infratest dimap, the SPD leads in public perception across various key areas, particularly in social justice and family policies. The Greens are noted for their strong stance on climate and transportation policies, while the CDU is recognized for its focus on economic and internal security issues, despite experiencing a slight decline in these areas.

Structure of the Hamburg Parliament

The Hamburg parliament consists of representatives elected from 17 electoral districts, competing for a total of 121 seats. Of these, 71 seats are allocated through multi-member electoral districts, where candidates can secure a position based on the highest vote counts. The remaining 50 seats are distributed based on party lists. To gain representation in the parliament, parties must achieve a minimum of five percent of the overall votes. An interesting aspect of the system includes the possibility of overhang mandates, where a party can have more representatives from electoral districts than their proportion of overall votes would typically allow, potentially leading to a larger parliamentary body.

Potential Coalition Scenarios

In the previous election, the SPD garnered 39.2 percent of the votes and is projected to remain a dominant force in the upcoming election, currently polling at around 32 percent. The Greens and the CDU follow with 19 percent and 18 percent, respectively. The most likely scenario suggests that the existing coalition may continue to govern, although it could fall short of an absolute majority. Meanwhile, conservative and right-wing parties, including the CDU and AfD, have seen a noticeable increase in support over the past five years, with the CDU gaining approximately six percentage points.

Voting Eligibility and Process

The election will take place on March 2, 2025, with polling stations open from 8 AM to 6 PM. All residents aged 16 and older who have maintained their primary residence in Hamburg for at least three months and are registered in the electoral roll are eligible to vote. As of late June 2024, this accounted for around 1.3 million individuals, excluding those legally barred from voting. Voters who are not listed in the electoral roll can register until February 28, 2025, with some exceptions allowing registrations until 3 PM on election day. Voting by mail is available under conditions similar to those of the federal elections.

Understanding the Voting System: First and Second Votes

Voters in the Bürgerschaft election have a total of ten votes, divided equally between the first and second votes. The first votes, cast on a red ballot, are for candidates from specific electoral districts, while the second votes, on a yellow ballot, are for party lists or individual candidates running statewide. Voters can distribute their first votes among different candidates, while the second votes are focused on broader party preferences. For those needing guidance, a sample ballot is available on the City of Hamburg's website.

Election of the First Mayor

The First Mayor of Hamburg is elected by the Bürgerschaft and serves as part of the Senate, alongside eleven senators responsible for managing various governmental departments. Currently, Peter Tschentscher from the SPD holds the position of First Mayor, while Katharina Fegebank from the Greens serves as the Second Mayor.