Dortmund Elects First CDU Mayor in 75 Years

Dortmund breaks with its SPD past, electing Alexander Kalouti as its first CDU mayor in 75 years. The actor-politician plans to revitalize the city center and build cross-party coalitions.

, and Administrator

2025 November 2 . 1:02 PM

1 min read

This picture is clicked outside the city. Here, we see many people walking on the road. The man in... — This picture is clicked outside the city. Here, we see many people walking on the road. The man in the middle of the picture wearing white t-shirt is holding a banner which is in red and black color. We see some text written on that banner. Beside them, we see people walking in the sideways and beside them, there are buildings. There are many buildings and trees in the background. We even see street lights and a flag in red color. At the top of the picture, we see the sky.

Dortmund Elects First CDU Mayor in 75 Years

Dortmund has elected its first mayor from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 1946. Alexander Kalouti, an actor turned politician, took the oath of office on Tuesday. The handover from SPD's Thomas Westphal was delayed due to scheduling issues.

Kalouti, a CDU member, succeeds nearly eight decades of SPD leadership in Dortmund. He won the mayoral election in October, ending the SPD's long-standing rule. Despite not having a majority in the city council, Kalouti plans to form issue-based coalitions to drive his agenda forward. The new mayor, who previously worked as an actor, is currently familiarizing himself with the municipal charter and seeking briefings from experienced councilors to prepare for his new role.

Kalouti's top priority is revitalizing Dortmund's city center and tackling urban decline. He aims to create more vibrant public spaces, attracting visitors and boosting the local economy.

Alexander Kalouti's election marks a significant shift in Dortmund's political landscape. With no majority in the city council, he will need to build bridges across party lines to implement his vision. His focus on the city center's revitalization signals a commitment to addressing Dortmund's urban challenges and fostering growth.