Aachen: 65% of citizens are eager for local elections – what does that mean for the city?

Aachen: 65% of citizens are eager for local elections – what does that mean for the city?

The upcoming local elections in the Aachen region on September 14, 2025 are arousing keen interest among those eligible to vote. As WDR reports, around 65 percent of those surveyed show strong interest in the upcoming elections. This is good news for democracy, even if 32 percent of those eligible to vote have little or no interest.

A survey from August 12th to 28th also showed that 79 percent of those eligible to vote were satisfied with local living conditions. The guarantee of public safety and order (55 percent) as well as the situation at schools and daycare centers (50 percent) are viewed particularly positively. But not everything is rosy: citizens are less satisfied with the condition of transport routes (36 percent) and the situation on the housing market (29 percent).

Local political trust and participation

The survey also shows that trust in political parties is divided. 26 percent of those surveyed trust the CDU, followed by the SPD and AfD with 14 percent each. The Greens and smaller groups of voters are only popular with 7 percent of voters. This speaks to the disorientation of many voters in this political landscape.

What is certain is that voter turnout is an important measure of political participation. A look at Statista shows that voter turnout in Germany has fluctuated in recent years. Regional differences are also noticeable in local elections. For example, the Cologne II constituency achieved turnout of up to 88 percent in previous elections, while other regions saw significant drops.

Historical perspectives and influence of suffrage

The history of local elections in Aachen shows that voter participation has varied over time. In the 2020 local elections, for example, voter turnout was 53.39 percent, which shows that there are always challenges in stimulating the population's interest in political issues. The historical development of electoral systems and the introduction of women's suffrage are also interesting aspects of the elections in Aachen. The first free, secret elections for the city council took place in the Weimar Republic and continue to shape the electoral system in the region to this day.

“Local living conditions and satisfaction with administrations have a direct influence on voter turnout,” says an expert in local politics. When citizens are satisfied with their living conditions, they are more likely to show interest in the elections. A look at the coming elections will show whether this trend will continue or whether a change in the political landscape in Aachen is imminent.

The use of social media and digital platforms could increase voter turnout and appeal to younger voters. Finally, new ways to reach voters could also address the challenges of political participation in the region.

The results of the local elections will be published on September 4th and tension among citizens is growing. All eyes are on the elections, which are of great importance not only for politics, but also for the entire Aachen region.

The challenge remains to mobilize citizens and promote their interest in shaping their living environment. It will be clear on election evening at the latest whether the commitment has been fruitful.