Kassel CDU starts with a fresh team and Bathon as the top candidate!

Kassel CDU starts with a fresh team and Bathon as the top candidate!

On October 26, 2025, an important step for the Kassel CDU was taken in Eppo's clubhouse: the list of candidates for the upcoming local elections on March 15, 2026 was officially confirmed. The party is committed to rejuvenation and would like to bring more women to the fore. Maximilian Bathon has been nominated as the top candidate and will lead the CDU's fortunes in the coming election. The CDU wasn't bluffing, as there are four women in the first ten rows.

Annette Knieling (2nd place), Alisar Dahere (5), Michaela Kaempfer-Reuter (9) and Vera Wilmes (10) are represented in the top places. This is not a given and shows that the party is seriously working towards equal representation. It is noteworthy that the list also includes candidates from all districts, which has often not been the reality in the past.

A sign of change

Maximilian Bathon and his colleagues represent a generational change. While young perspectives and a breath of fresh air are to be blown, there are some “old hands” in the lower places, such as former parliamentary group leader Michael von Rüden in 43rd place. The election program, which is extensive at 130 pages and was approved unanimously, sets clear priorities: internal security, the economy and education are at the top of the agenda.

For the safety of citizens, the CDU has an increase in the city police force in the pipeline in order to create a safe living environment. The education system should not be neglected either, as new school buildings are planned that will undercut the costs of the current projects. Secretary General Leopold Born emphasizes that it is not just about positive citizen feedback on the state government, but also about challenges that need to be tackled in Berlin.

Women in Politics: A Necessary Change

Overall, it is clear that women are often underrepresented in local politics, which is an issue not only in Kassel, but also in other regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia. Caroline Werner, who is running for city council in Sundern, emphasizes the need for young, female voices to enter the political sphere. Anna Hußmann, who is running for the CDU in Wuppertal, also sees the challenges of combining work and volunteer work.

The current figures speak for themselves: Political scientist Helga Lukoschat reports that the proportion of female elected representatives on city councils is between 24 and 39 percent, while two thirds of the elected representatives are over 50 years old. Women's voices are not only important, they also need to be taken seriously. Sienna Leesberg, who at the age of 18 is the youngest candidate for the Arnsberg city council from Alliance 90/The Greens, is committed to promoting young women in politics and calls for continuous addressing of political issues.

In summary, it can be said that the Kassel CDU, with its rejuvenated list and strong women at the forefront, is well on the way to bringing a breath of fresh air into local politics and meeting the demands of modern society. These developments make it clear that political commitment is required from all age groups and genders - there is something to be said!

For further details on the candidate list and election program topics, please visit HNA. Further information about the challenges facing women in politics can be found at daily news.