Overview
- A citizen recall produced a majority for removing Mayor David Rendel but failed to reach the required quorum of 3,331 votes on Sunday, so Rendel remains in office.
- City councillors discovered two garbage bags of shredded paper in the Rathaus basement that was said to match the colour of voting envelopes and the police secured the material for examination.
- The Staatsanwaltschaft, Staatsschutz and local police have opened a joint investigation and are questioning witnesses, checking who had access to the storage room and reviewing disposal intervals for paper waste.
- Mayor Rendel has denied any irregularities, defended the election office, said internal checks found no clear signs of manipulation and pledged full cooperation with investigators.
- The discovery has intensified local mistrust, prompted accusations that the largest council faction staged the find, and could lead to a legal challenge only if investigators substantiate manipulation.