Zehdenick’s recall vote may oust another mayor amid leadership chaos

A town with no mayor lasting more than three years now faces another reckoning. Will Zehdenick break its cycle of failed leadership—or repeat it?

, and Administrator

2025 December 25 . 3:26 AM

1 min read

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Zehdenick’s recall vote may oust another mayor amid leadership chaos

Zehdenick’s political instability continues as residents prepare for a recall vote on January 25, 2026. The ballot will decide whether to remove Mayor Alexander Kretzschmar, who has been absent for nearly six months. Many expect the vote to succeed, marking another leadership change in the troubled town hall.

The town’s leadership woes began after Arno Dahlenburg retired in 2018. Since then, no mayor has lasted more than three years. Bert Kronenberg was ousted in 2021 following public dissatisfaction with his conduct. His successor, Lucas Halle, resigned in 2024 at just 24, citing health issues.

René Stadtkewitz, a former CDU politician, briefly served as mayor before stepping down in 2024 for medical reasons. He had previously left the CDU in 2009 to found the far-right party Die Freiheit, inspired by Geert Wilders’ Dutch movement. After losing the March 2025 rerun election to Alexander Kretzschmar, Stadtkewitz could now return as a candidate in 2026 if no other contender emerges. Kretzschmar’s tenure has been short and troubled. He took sick leave after just over a week in office and has not communicated with the city council since. If removed, he would still receive over 70% of his mayoral salary as a pension for the next seven years.

The upcoming recall vote will determine whether Kretzschmar remains in office. If he is removed, Zehdenick will face another leadership transition, extending its streak of short-lived mayors. The town’s ongoing struggle to retain stable leadership shows no signs of easing.