Markus Lewe: Farewell after 16 years - an era is coming to an end!

Markus Lewe: Farewell after 16 years - an era is coming to an end!

On September 29, 2025 the time had finally come: Mayor Markus Lewe was ceremonially farewelled at the district administrators' conference in Münsterland. This last participation took place in the new building of the logistics company Fiege at the Münster city harbor. Lewe, who will end his term of office on October 31, 2025, has been an integral part of the municipal landscape for 16 years and was highly respected by the region's district administrators.

The trusting cooperation that Lewe had built up with the district administrators was acknowledged several times in the speeches. Dr. Olaf Gericke, the district administrator of the Warendorf district, particularly emphasized the joint projects that were implemented during Lewe's term of office. These include, among others, the Münsterland S-Bahn in local public transport, the innovative teleemergency doctor system in the rescue service, the merged savings bank and the Münsterland tourism brand. Other district administrators, such as Dr. Kai Zwicker from the Borken district and Dr. Martin Sommer from the Steinfurt district were present and supported this appreciation.

Cooperation projects and challenges

In his farewell speech, Markus Lewe emphasized the value of open exchange, which formed the basis for successful cooperation. He spoke of the trust and willingness to create that are necessary to overcome the challenges of today. The district administrators' conference plays a central role by discussing current issues and strategies in areas such as transport, health, economy and tourism. Lewe's farewell marks the end of an era in which many important projects were initiated and further developed.

But not everything is going smoothly in Münsterland. The regional management organization Münsterland e.V. is once again confronted with a funding gap, which is being exacerbated by planned cuts in the Münster City Council. These cuts are being made without consultation with the affected parties and are creating an irritable atmosphere between the districts and the city of Münster. This situation reflects the tensions that exist in the region and could also put a strain on future cooperation, as the discussions surrounding the financing crisis show.

Tradition of cooperation in Münsterland

The long tradition of cooperation in Münsterland is of great importance even in difficult times. The region has proven that it can work together in areas such as economic development, skilled worker recruitment and public transport planning. This collaboration is coordinated by Münsterland e.V. in order to strengthen regional development and ensure quality of life. Under the motto "MÜNSTERLAND. THE GOOD LIFE." The city and districts have drawn up a joint declaration on future cooperation, which is based on common challenges such as demographic change and climate protection. The development of this “Münsterland Declaration” shows that the identity and future of the region are taken seriously and should offer a common roadmap.

Markus Lewe's departure could not only represent a change in the management staff, but also have a significant impact on current and future cooperation in Münsterland. How the region will deal with these challenges remains to be seen.