Potsdam's Mayor Faces Possible Ouster as City Prepares for Referendum

The city of Potsdam is set to conduct a referendum that could determine the fate of its current mayor, Mike Schubert. Following a decision by the city parliament to initiate a process for the mayor's potential removal, preparations are underway for the upcoming vote.

Residents of Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, will have the opportunity to vote on May 25 regarding Schubert's continuation in office. Approximately 144,000 eligible voters are expected to receive their ballot notifications shortly after Easter. In the event that Mayor Schubert does not resign by the end of the week, the referendum will proceed as planned.

Stefan Tolksdorf, the election officer, confirmed that voters will receive their notifications by April 25 should the referendum go ahead. This marks a significant moment for the city, as the last time a mayor was removed through such a process was back in 1998.

To facilitate the referendum, the city requires around 1,200 election workers, with about 800 volunteers already on board. The election will feature 91 polling locations, and residents will also have the option to vote by mail.

During the referendum, voters will answer a simple yes or no question regarding the removal of the mayor. For Schubert to be ousted, a majority of the voters must support the motion, with at least 25% of all eligible voters participating in the vote.

The level of voter turnout will be critical, as a low participation rate could hinder the achievement of the necessary quorum. In the 2018 mayoral elections, voter turnout was recorded at 53% during the main election and 37.8% during the runoff.

The city parliament approved the motion to initiate the referendum with a significant majority, with support coming from various political factions, excluding the mayor's own party, the SPD. Schubert has been given a week to respond to the situation, and should he choose not to contest the decision, he will automatically be considered removed from office according to municipal election laws.

While Schubert has expressed his intention to let the voters decide his fate in the upcoming election, some city representatives are urging him to step down voluntarily to avoid further complications for both himself and the city. Steeven Bretz, the local CDU leader, has publicly called for Schubert to resign, suggesting that this would help alleviate the ongoing tensions surrounding the situation.

As the referendum date approaches, political parties are gearing up for potential campaigning and election activities. The local SPD, aligning with Schubert, indicated that they would need to discuss their strategy moving forward, particularly given the financial implications of campaigning in light of the upcoming municipal and state elections.