Christmas and New Year Greetings from the Mayor

Steffen Scheller will step down as lord mayor of Brandenburg an der Havel on March 1, 2026, after 21 years of service. His departure follows a successful runoff election on November 23, 2025, where Daniel Keip (SPD) secured 60.4% of the vote. The official handover to the new mayor will take place the next day, marking the end of an era for the city.

Scheller first joined the city administration in 2005 as city treasurer. A year later, he became mayor, and in 2018, he was elected lord mayor. During his time in office, Brandenburg an der Havel has seen steady growth, with the population rising from 71,500 to around 74,300 since the 2015 Federal Horticultural Show.

Under his leadership, the city balanced its budget and reduced its debt. Major projects included the construction and renovation of kindergartens, schools, and a new school campus. Infrastructure and public transport were expanded, while fire and rescue services received modern upgrades. New residential areas also took shape, accommodating the growing population. Scheller supported the expansion of the Brandenburg Medical School, which now includes a new Faculty of Dentistry and a dental clinic. The city also hosted high-profile sporting events on its regatta course and continues to pursue ambitions of hosting the Olympics in 2040 or 2044. In his farewell message, Scheller thanked everyone who had worked alongside him for the city’s progress. He encouraged residents to remain engaged and proud ambassadors for Brandenburg an der Havel. Before leaving office, he wished everyone a joyful Christmas, a peaceful end to the year, and a happy, healthy new year.

Daniel Keip will take over as lord mayor on March 2, 2026, after winning 13,942 votes in the runoff. The city’s financial stability, infrastructure improvements, and growing population mark the end of Scheller’s long tenure. His successor will inherit a city in solid shape, with ongoing projects and long-term ambitions still in sight.