Overview
- Hikel announced he would not seek another term after receiving 68.5% in a vote to lead the SPD Neukölln ticket, saying the support was not enough for a successful mayoral campaign.
- The delegate meeting was aborted and will be continued on another date, with SPD Neukölln stating it will reconstitute its top team this year.
- Hikel said he will remain in office through the end of his term and pledged to focus on his current duties.
- Participants from the party’s left and the Jusos had criticized his frequent public appearances with police during operations and his avoidance of the term “anti-Muslim racism,” according to reports.
- Separately, the Neukölln SPD did not nominate Economy Senator and former governing mayor Franziska Giffey for its district list for the Abgeordnetenhaus election, leaving a direct mandate as her potential path back to parliament.