In a historic local election, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) mayoral candidate Thomas Donner was elected deputy mayor of Gelsenkirchen-South, marking the first time the party has won this position in the district council.
The joint list of Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU) fell one municipal vote short, receiving ten out of a possible sixteen votes, while Donner secured six votes—one more than the AfD holds in the council.
District Mayor Thomas Fath (SPD) retained his position, but he described the result as “speechless,” suggesting that “someone must have mixed up the crosses” the secret ballot.
The outcome immediately sparked speculation about a defector from the SPD or CDU.
Donner expressed gratitude to voters, stating that his election inspires “great humility” and pledging to work for a “livable, safe, and just future in Gelsenkirchen-South.” AfD district spokesperson Enxhi Seli-Zacharias called it a “great, historic success.”
AfD’s rising influence is also visible in Bad Salzuflen, North-Rhine Westphalia, where AfD deputy mayor Sabine Reinknecht was elected last week with 19.02% of the vote. Despite the Left Party’s efforts—pushing for her removal on the ‘basis’ that she might frighten off tourists—Reinknecht’s victory highlights AfD’s expanding support beyond its traditional strongholds in the east.
