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Solingen is looking for a new councilor: Who will follow Dagmar Becker?
Dagmar Becker will step down as representative for schools, sports and culture in Solingen at the end of January 2025. The city is now looking for a successor.
Solingen is looking for a new councilor: Who will follow Dagmar Becker?
The political change in Solingen is imminent: Dagmar Becker, the head of the youth, school, sports and culture department, will retire at the end of January 2026. This comes just two months before her 65th birthday, and how that Solinger Tageblatt reported, the resignation is at his own request and for political reasons. Becker, who has been in office since 2016, has made particular contributions to the areas of daycare expansion, theater development and cultural initiatives during her time as city director and front woman for the Greens.
The search for a suitable successor has already begun. The Solingen city council will decide on a job advertisement at the beginning of July 2025. Interestingly, the Greens have the right to propose a successor and intend to propose a suitable candidate to the city council for election. Ruth Fischer-Bieniek, the parliamentary group spokeswoman for the Greens, is confident that a new councilor can be elected by the old city council before its last meeting on October 9th.
Political circumstances and challenges
Dagmar Becker, the only woman on the administrative board, is also facing a legal opinion regarding her resignation. This dealt with legal fees in connection with the so-called smuggling affair, which raised allegations of infidelity, but had no consequences for Becker because the public prosecutor's office had to discontinue the proceedings. This approach has led to her feeling that she has been unfairly pilloried, which has put a strain on the relationship of trust with the CDU.
The upcoming election period of the newly elected city council begins in November, and by then Fischer-Bieniek hopes for a broad majority for her candidate. CDU representative Daniel Flemm also said that he did not question the Greens' right to make proposals, but would like to initiate a discussion about the schedule. Jan Welzel, the longest-serving councilor, is already being considered as a possible successor for the city director role.
Dagmar Becker's career at a glance
Becker, born on March 25, 1961 in Solingen, has had an extremely impressive career. After studying social work and a degree in education, she made a name for herself in various roles in the city administration, including as an equal opportunities officer and head of department in the area of political and cultural education. Under her leadership, important projects such as the new construction of the Vogelsang family pool and extensive investments in the Solingen school landscape were realized, which left her noticeable mark.
Her membership of the Green Party since 2007 and her commitment to local equality policy are reflected in her diverse activities. The federal government itself has recognized the relevance of the issue of equality and has launched an action program that offers support for women in local politics. Information about the goals and measures of this program is available at Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth to find.
It currently remains to be seen how the political landscape in Solingen will develop after Becker's resignation. As a committed swimmer and family-oriented personality, Dagmar Becker leaves a lasting impression not only in local politics, but also in the social commitment of her hometown.