Sylt Mayor Election Heads to Runoff Between Haltermann and Gieppner

No candidate secured a majority in the first round, setting up an April 6 runoff on Germany's largest North Sea island.

Tina Haltermann, a 46-year-old independent candidate supported by the CDU, and Markus Gieppner, a 59-year-old representing 'Die Insulaner,' will face off in the runoff.
Haltermann received 38.4% of the vote while Gieppner garnered 23.5%, leading the six-candidate field.
The election follows months of political turmoil after the prior mayor, Nikolas Häckel, was removed from office and later passed away under unclear circumstances.
Key issues influencing the election include affordable housing for residents, illegal vacation rentals, and resolving the island's financial challenges.
Voter turnout was 48.6%, lower than the 52.2% turnout in the 2021 mayoral election, with the new mayor expected to take office on May 1.