Potsdam Prepares for Historic Referendum on Mayor Schubert's Future

City council votes decisively to initiate a citizen referendum on May 25, citing loss of trust and leadership failures.

Potsdam's city council voted 44-9 to initiate a citizen referendum on the removal of Mayor Mike Schubert, with only SPD representatives opposing the motion.
The referendum, scheduled for May 25, 2025, requires a majority vote and at least 25% voter turnout to pass.
Schubert, who has faced criticism for administrative inefficiencies, unresolved city issues, and a VIP ticket scandal, has stated he will not resign and will face the vote.
The VIP ticket scandal, involving Schubert's acceptance of free event tickets, led to a corruption investigation, now closed with financial penalties for the mayor.
This marks only the second time in Potsdam's history that a mayor faces potential removal via citizen referendum, underscoring the gravity of the situation.