CSU's Markus Schlemmer ends 50 years of SPD rule in Aschaffenburg
Markus Schlemmer of the Christian Social Union (CSU) has won Aschaffenburg's mayoral runoff election. He defeated long-serving incumbent Jürgen Herzing from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), ending over 50 years of SPD leadership in the city.
The runoff took place after neither candidate secured a majority in the first round on 8 March. Schlemmer led with 41.1% of the vote, while Herzing trailed at 38.2%. In the final ballot, the 57-year-old CSU candidate won 56.3% of valid votes, compared to Herzing's 43.7%.
Turnout for the runoff stood at 47.5%. Schlemmer's victory marks a historic shift, as Aschaffenburg has been governed by SPD mayors since 1970. His term will officially begin on 1 May. At 65, Herzing had served as mayor for years under the SPD banner. The election result now places the CSU in charge of the city for the first time in decades.
Schlemmer's win breaks a half-century of SPD control in Aschaffenburg. He will take office on 1 May as the city's first CSU mayor in modern history. The runoff saw nearly half of eligible voters cast their ballots.
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