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Ex-Würzburg mayor Christian Schuchardt returns to politics under CSU banner

A political comeback with a twist: Würzburg's ex-mayor switches parties to reclaim influence. Will his experience tip the balance in March's election?

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2 min read
The image shows a large building with a lot of windows on the side of it, surrounded by street...
The image shows a large building with a lot of windows on the side of it, surrounded by street poles, street lights, sign boards, motor vehicles on the road, persons standing on the footpath, flags to the poles, grills, trees and a sky with clouds in the background. This building is the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, which is set to be re-elected.

Würzburg's former mayor runs for city council and joins CSU - Ex-Würzburg mayor Christian Schuchardt returns to politics under CSU banner

After Moving to the German Association of Cities, Christian Schuchardt Returns to Local Politics—Here's Why He's Running for Würzburg City Council

More than six months after former Würzburg mayor Christian Schuchardt transitioned to the German Association of Cities (Deutscher Städtetag), the politician has announced his candidacy for the city council. "Local politics is my life," he told the Main-Post. "I love the city of Würzburg and enjoy being there for its people. At the same time, my candidacy is an offer to continue contributing my expertise to shaping our city's future." As the association's chief executive, he wants to stay connected to grassroots politics through this voluntary role, keeping a finger on the pulse of local debates.

List Position 20

A native of Frankfurt, Schuchardt began his political career in Hesse with the CDU before making his mark in local government. When elected Würzburg's mayor in 2014, he became the first CDU politician in Bavaria to hold the office. Now 57, he has since joined the CSU, he told the paper, and is running in the 20th spot on the party's list.

"In the voluntary city council, teamwork within the faction is key. Naturally, I belong to the CSU and will wear the team colors," Schuchardt said. "The CSU only introduced the option of dual membership in its statutes a few years ago."

Currently, the CSU holds 13 of the council's 50 seats, while the Greens, with 16, form the largest faction. The mayor—elected separately—brings the total to 51. Six years ago, Schuchardt topped the CSU's vote count in the local elections.

Mayoral Election Already Held Last May

Schuchardt's departure for the German Association of Cities forced Würzburg to elect a new mayor last May—Green Party politician Martin Heilig won the race. In the March 8 municipal elections, the city's roughly 100,000 eligible voters will decide only on the city council, not the mayoral post. Heilig is thus expected to remain in office until 2032, when both elections are scheduled to coincide again.

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