Cologne is making history: four female mayors are running the city!

Cologne is making history: four female mayors are running the city!

Cologne has made history: in the most recent elections there are now four female mayors in office, a first since the Second World War. The new women at the top are Derya Karadag (Greens), Teresa de Bellis-Olinger (CDU), Maria Helmis-Arend (SPD) and Brigitta von Bülow (Greens) - all committed politicians who are bringing a breath of fresh air to Cologne city politics.

However, Mayor Torsten Burmester, who represents the city externally, cannot handle all representative tasks alone. On average, a mayor in Cologne has around 970 appointments per year, while the new mayors together take on around 520 events annually. This shows how important their representation is for the city - be it at celebrations, laying of the foundation stone or receptions in the town hall.

A breath of fresh air in politics

The mayors are not just the faces of the city. Maria Helmis-Arend, the last nomination from the ranks of the SPD, declared that she wanted to be a “lawyer for all people in Cologne” and brought fresh enthusiasm to the town hall. Her predecessor Ralf Heinen was in office for eleven years, and now Helmis-Arend is taking office with new goals and visions. Derya Karadag, the first deputy, took over the responsibility from Andreas Wolter, who had been mayor since 2014.

The Greens, who emerged as the strongest faction in the council in this election, have two of the four mayors. Brigitta von Bülow remains in office and has already made a name for herself since 2020. Last but not least, Teresa de Bellis-Olinger brings fresh ideas from the CDU after replacing Ralph Elster, just shortly after the local elections.

An old need for action: the role of women in local politics

The proportion of women in local politics is still low in Germany. Less than 10% of town halls are led by women, a 2020 EAF study shows. At first glance, one might think that the election of Cologne's mayors would be the end of this trend. But the challenges remain high: integration of refugees, the need for skilled workers and climate protection are topics that strengthen the basis of our society in crisis situations.

However, the increasing recognition of the female political voice could change the face of politics in the long term. Around 33% of incumbent mayors do not plan to run again in the next election, many due to their advanced age. This could offer new opportunities not only for first-time candidates, but especially for less experienced politicians who want to contribute fresh thinking. Almost 40% of mayors in smaller municipalities work on a voluntary basis, which also shows that commitment to the community is often experienced outside of their main job.

The average age of Cologne's mayors has fallen from 63 to 49 years - a sign of a new, more dynamic style of politics. Cologne could therefore be a pioneer of a fundamental change in local politics and thus also act as a role model for other cities in Germany.

The new legislative period has not only brought with it new faces, but also new perspectives. The citizens of Cologne can be excited to see what the next steps will bring in a city that is now under completely female leadership. And that's something to celebrate!