Free Voters' candidate wins Miesbach district in historic landslide victory
Jens Zangenfeind of the Free Voters' Association (FWG) has won the Miesbach district administrator runoff in a landslide. He secured 78% of the vote, defeating CSU candidate Franz Schnitzenbaumer by a wide margin. The result marks a significant shift in local politics after years of CSU leadership.
The election took place on 22 March 2026 to replace Olaf von Löwis, the outgoing CSU district administrator. Von Löwis chose not to run again after serving a single term. Seven candidates initially competed for the position, but only Zangenfeind and Schnitzenbaumer advanced to the runoff.
Zangenfeind, who previously served as mayor of Hausham, won decisively with 30,875 votes (78.1%). His opponent, Schnitzenbaumer—former mayor of Schliersee—received just 8,713 votes (22.0%). The victory expands the Free Voters' influence in Bavaria, doubling their district administrator seats from 14 to 28. The result ends a long period of CSU control in Miesbach. Wolfgang Rzehak of the Greens had held the role before von Löwis, but the district had remained under CSU leadership until now.
Zangenfeind's win reshapes Miesbach's political landscape, breaking the CSU's hold on the district administrator post. The Free Voters' growing strength across Bavaria is now reflected in their increased number of local leadership positions. The new administrator will take office following the official transition period.
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