Stefan Gelbhaar Announces Candidacy in Pankow for Upcoming State Election

The Green Party in Berlin's Pankow district is moving forward with its candidate selection process for the upcoming state parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 2026. One of the most closely observed constituencies this cycle is District 6, where former Bundestag member Stefan Gelbhaar is seeking nomination to run as a direct candidate.

Today, members of the Pankow Green Party are gathering at the Kulturmarkthalle in Prenzlauer Berg to finalize their nominations for all nine electoral districts within the borough. The process is expected to attract particular attention to District 6, given Gelbhaar's renewed political ambitions following a period of public scrutiny.

Stefan Gelbhaar previously represented the Greens in the German Bundestag, but has not held a seat since the federal election earlier this year. His departure from federal politics came after allegations of misconduct were raised against him late last year. The allegations, which included reports of inappropriate behavior made by several women--some anonymously and others through sworn statements--were widely covered in the media. Gelbhaar denied the accusations and pursued legal recourse in response to the claims.

Following the emergence of these allegations, Gelbhaar chose not to run for a position on the Greens' state list for the Bundestag elections. Furthermore, a subsequent vote among the Greens in Pankow led to the decision not to select him as their direct candidate at that time. However, developments in the case led to renewed interest in Gelbhaar's situation. Questions were raised about the credibility of key testimonies, particularly after doubts emerged regarding the identity of one individual who had made some of the most serious allegations. As a result, the regional broadcaster RBB retracted significant portions of its initial reporting, acknowledging errors in its journalistic handling of the story and indicating that it had been misled by the source in question.

With these issues now addressed, Gelbhaar has expressed his intention to return to active politics at the state level. His candidacy for District 6 is viewed as a critical test of both his standing within the party and the district's electorate. The selection process in Pankow reflects broader efforts within the Green Party to ensure transparent, fair, and accountable candidate vetting, particularly when previous controversies have arisen.

The nomination meeting in Prenzlauer Berg underscores the significance of local party democracy, as members decide who will represent them in the upcoming state assembly elections. The outcome in District 6 is particularly noteworthy, as it may signal the extent to which past controversies continue to impact political careers and the willingness of party members to support candidates seeking a new mandate after public scrutiny.

This candidate selection event is part of the preparatory phase for the 2026 Berlin state elections, where the Greens, along with other parties, aim to solidify their positions across the city's districts. The focus on Pankow's District 6 highlights how individual candidacies can become focal points for broader debates about accountability, rehabilitation, and trust in political life.