Palmer counters criticism after Özdemir's midnight wedding - Tübingen's mayor conducts a midnight wedding on Valentine's Day
Tübingen's Mayor Defends Unusual Late-Night Wedding of Cem Özdemir: No Extra Costs, No Overtime—But Possibly a New Rule Soon
Tübingen's mayor, Boris Palmer, is facing criticism after presiding over the late-night wedding of Green Party co-leader Cem Özdemir and Flavia Zaka. Palmer told the German Press Agency (dpa) that several complaints had been lodged about the timing of the ceremony, with some questioning how much the unusual hour had cost taxpayers. His answer: nothing.
Palmer Fears More Bureaucracy Ahead
Currently, there is no regulation governing the hours in which civil weddings can take place. "That's exactly what worries me," Tübingen's mayor said. "If enough people complain that someone got married at midnight and demand to know why that's allowed, someone will come up with a rule to make it impossible." He added that this was how bureaucracy often expanded.
"Since I have keys to every room in city hall, no one needs to let me in when I go there—something that does, in fact, happen at midnight sometimes, whether to review files or take work home," Palmer emphasized. He noted that he had responded to all the letters of complaint, explaining that "there were no additional costs because I was the only one there, and I never log overtime. Anyone can do this if they find a registrar willing to work at night."
Couples Can Marry in City Hall on Select Days and Times
Those looking to tie the knot in Tübingen have several venue options, according to the city. The historic city hall on Market Square offers its Small Hall for ceremonies, while civil weddings can also be held in the city's outlying districts. Additionally, five Saturdays a year, couples have the chance to marry in Bebenhausen Palace or the garden of the Hölderlin Tower. Residency in Tübingen is not required—"out-of-town couples first register the marriage at their local registry office, then contact Tübingen's registry office to arrange the details."
At the Market Square city hall, weddings are held on designated Saturdays at the following times: 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:45 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. In addition to the standard registry fees, there is a €40 administrative charge. Of the nine available slots this year, the city's website shows only December 12, 2026, remains open.
Özdemir and Zaka exchanged vows just after midnight on February 14 in Tübingen's city hall, with Palmer—who is unaffiliated with any party—officiating. The mayor is a long-time family friend but made clear he did not serve as a witness. "You can't be both the registrar and a witness," he had stated before the wedding.
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