Kempten's 30-year CSU reign ends as Free Voters win mayoral race
Kempten's mayoral election has brought an end to 30 years of CSU leadership. Christian Schoch of the Free Voters party defeated incumbent Thomas Kiechle in a runoff on 22 March 2026. The result marks a significant shift in local politics after decades of conservative control.
The CSU first took charge of Kempten's city hall in 1996 when Ulrich Netzer won the mayoral race from the SPD. His victory ended decades of Social Democrat rule and began a long period of CSU dominance. Netzer remained in office until 2014, when he handed the position to Thomas Kiechle, son of former federal agriculture minister Ignaz Kiechle.
Kiechle served two terms but lost his bid for re-election in this year's runoff. Schoch secured 55 percent of the vote, while Kiechle trailed with 45 percent. Despite the change in leadership, voter engagement remained low, with only 43.6 percent of eligible residents casting ballots.
The election result transfers control of Kempten's Rathaus from the CSU to the Free Voters for the first time. Schoch will take office as the city's new mayor, replacing Kiechle after three decades of conservative leadership. The transition follows a campaign that saw nearly six in ten voters stay away from the polls.
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