Munich decides: Two thirds say yes to the Olympics!

Munich decides: Two thirds say yes to the Olympics!

In a historic referendum, the people of Munich clearly voted in favor of applying for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Around two thirds of the more than 460,000 voters said “yes” to the plans, which are to be launched either for the years 2036, 2040 or 2044. Loud Mainpost 305,201 voters voted, which corresponds to an approval rate of 66.4%. This is a record turnout that is well above the required quorum of at least ten percent of the more than 1.097 million Munich residents eligible to vote.

What are the next steps? The city of Munich, together with Berlin, Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region, is applying to host this prestigious sporting event. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) sees this as a great opportunity for Bavaria as a sports location and mentions the possibility of sustainable games, supported by existing sports facilities that have been maintained and further developed since the last Olympics in 1972. However, critics, such as the “NOlympia” alliance, point out the high costs, which are estimated to be at least 5 billion euros for the city, and warn of unnecessary debt and rising living costs.

Participation and electoral process

The vote took place in more than 100 polling stations in Munich. What was particularly noticeable was that the majority of votes were cast by post due to the unsolicited mailing of postal voting documents for the first time. Loud daily news More than a third of the votes came from this category, pushing turnout to 4.8% as of 4:30 p.m. Many voters appreciated the opportunity to vote from the comfort of their own home, which contributed to the overall high turnout and thus the success story of the referendum.

The question on the ballot papers was: “Are you in favor of the state capital Munich applying for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics?” The upcoming developments in connection with the application also raise questions about how the city plans to provide the necessary sporting facilities. Competitions could also take place outside of Munich, for example rowing in Oberschleißheim or swimming in Lake Starnberg.

Public opinions and perspectives

The referendum reflects not only the enthusiasm for the games, but also the deep concerns that plague many citizens. The critics draw attention to the potentially high costs that could be incurred not only for the construction of sports facilities, but also for security and infrastructure. Proponents, on the other hand, hope that the games will give a boost to urban development, housing construction and improvements to public transport in the region.

The national Olympic Committee will decide on the applications in 2026. Until then, it remains to be seen how the discussion surrounding Munich's Olympic bid will develop and what measures the city will devise to meet the possible challenges. One thing is certain: interest in this spectacle remains high, and Munich residents are eager to use their influence to determine the city's course for the future.