Overview
- Seven contenders will vie for the Essen mayoralty, led by CDU incumbent Thomas Kufen against challengers from SPD, Greens, AfD, FDP and local citizen groups
- Gelsenkirchen’s open mayoral contest pits SPD nominee Andrea Henze against seven rivals following Karin Welge’s decision not to seek re-election
- Eligible voters aged 16 and older with German or EU passports will cast four votes on September 14 for mayor, municipal council, district assembly and Regionalverband Ruhr parliament seats
- Newly introduced direct elections for local Integrationsrat bodies will empower migrant communities with formal representation in municipal governance
- Mayoral candidates must secure over 50% of first-round votes to win outright, with runoffs scheduled for September 28 between the top two contenders if no clear majority emerges