Soltau’s mayoral candidates clash over city’s future in heated forum

Independents and party-backed hopefuls sparred over debt, transport, and leadership. Who will shape Soltau’s next chapter? The debate revealed deep divides.

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2025 November 16 . 3:25 PM

1 min read

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Soltau’s mayoral candidates clash over city’s future in heated forum

Soltau's mayoral candidates gathered at the Alt-Reitstall on Tuesday evening, presenting diverse visions for the city's future. The forum, hosted by the local newspaper, saw seven candidates discussing their plans and stances on key issues.

The evening highlighted the polarization in local politics, even at the municipal level. SPD candidate Birhat Kacar and CDU candidate Volker Wrigge emphasized their independence throughout the discussion, distancing themselves from party lines. Meanwhile, independent candidates Thomas Beckmann and Michael Ziemann criticized more politically experienced competitors.

Olaf Ahrens, another independent candidate, highlighted the role of a mayor as an administrator and stressed the need to improve public transport. Karsten Brockmann made specific proposals, such as adjusting school closing times and managing shunting traffic. Henrich Seißelberg supported the idea of a bathing lake instead of a swimming pool and advocated for better cycling conditions. Kacar spoke of the importance of interplay between council and mayor, while Wrigge warned against 'vigorously indebting' the city. Beckmann advocated for an administratively independent mayor and referenced Soltau's past.

The mayoral candidates in Soltau have presented a range of visions for the city's future. From improving public transport to advocating for better cycling conditions and independent leadership, the candidates have offered diverse perspectives. A detailed report on the podium discussion will be published in tomorrow's edition.