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Boris Rhein watches son Bruno's political debut in Frankfurt's local election

A father's nerves tested as his son steps into politics. Frankfurt's election reveals shifting loyalties—and a CDU resurgence led by Boris Rhein's family.

The image shows a cartoon of a man in a top hat and a woman in a dress, with a wall, window,...
The image shows a cartoon of a man in a top hat and a woman in a dress, with a wall, window, bucket, and other objects in the background. At the bottom of the paper, there is text which reads "F. J. Singer, the first German politician to be elected to congress".

Boris Rhein feverishly cheered on son Bruno - "Great excitement" - Boris Rhein watches son Bruno's political debut in Frankfurt's local election

Hesse's Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU) spent election night watching his son Bruno campaign in Frankfurt's local vote. The younger Rhein, a trainee teacher with a keen interest in politics, stood as a candidate in the Nieder-Eschbach district. For the senior Rhein, seeing his son run proved even more nerve-wracking than his own political races.

The CDU emerged as the clear winner in Frankfurt, securing 26.5% of the vote—a rise of 4.6 points since 2021. Meanwhile, other parties saw mixed results, with some gaining ground and others losing support.

Bruno Rhein, 24, balances his teacher training with political ambitions, focusing on issues like public safety, urban cleanliness, and sports infrastructure. His father, Boris Rhein, admitted that watching his son's campaign stirred up more anxiety than his own elections ever had. The two followed the results together as votes were counted across Frankfurt.

The CDU's victory marked a significant shift, climbing to 26.5%—its strongest showing in the city since 2021. The Greens, despite remaining the second-largest party, dropped to 21.0%, losing 3.6 points. The SPD also saw a slight decline, falling 0.3 points to 16.7%.

On the opposite end, the AfD made notable gains, rising 4.6 points to 9.1%. The Left Party also increased its share by 1.0 point, reaching 8.9%. The FDP, however, struggled, dropping 2.9 points to just 4.7%.

Bruno Rhein's district, Nieder-Eschbach, reflected broader trends, though his personal results were not separately detailed. His campaign priorities—security, clean streets, and sports facilities—aligned with his father's party platform, though no specific CDU policies on these issues were highlighted in recent years.

The CDU's win strengthens its position in Frankfurt, while the Greens and SPD face setbacks after years of higher support. The AfD's growth and the FDP's decline signal shifting voter preferences in the city. For Bruno Rhein, the election marked a first step into politics, with his focus now likely turning to future campaigns—or his teaching career.

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