The Hamburg Parliament, the city’s highest legislative body, oversees local governance, law-making, and the city budget. Elections occur every five years, with the next scheduled for March 2, 2025, allowing over 1.3 million residents aged 16 and older to vote. Voters will receive two ballots to elect representatives from various parties. A range of parties, including SPD, Greens, CDU, and others, are preparing for the upcoming election, which plays a vital role in shaping Hamburg’s political future.
Understanding the Role of the Hamburg Parliament
The Hamburg Parliament, known as the state parliament in this unique city-state, plays a crucial role in local governance and decision-making. Unlike other German federal states where it is referred to as the Landtag, the Hamburg Parliament addresses municipal, state, and federal issues. Directly elected by the citizens every five years since a constitutional amendment in 2013, it serves as the highest legislative body in the city.
This Parliament is primarily tasked with creating laws and managing the city’s budget. Additionally, it exercises oversight over the Senate, which functions as the government, and is responsible for electing the First Mayor, who acts as the head of government. Despite the significant responsibility, the role of First Mayor has historically been held by men, marking a notable aspect of the city’s political landscape.
Voting Eligibility and Election Details
The upcoming election for the Hamburg Parliament is set for March 2, 2025, with over 1.3 million residents eligible to cast their votes. To participate, voters must be German citizens aged 16 or older on election day and have resided in Hamburg for at least three months. Those excluded from voting rights under specific regulations will not be allowed to vote.
On election day, polling stations will be open from 8 AM until 6 PM. Voters will receive a notification by mail indicating their designated polling place, which may be located in schools, kindergartens, or other public facilities. To ensure a smooth process, voters are advised to bring their election notification card and, ideally, an ID card or passport.
For those unable to attend the polling station, postal voting options are available. From January 21, 2025, election offices will open, allowing citizens to collect voting documents. Voters can also apply for postal ballots online or by mail, with all completed ballots needing to be returned by 6 PM on election day to be counted.
Ballots and Voting Process
Voters will receive two ballots: a yellow state list ballot and a red district list ballot. The yellow ballot lists candidates from various parties and voter associations across Hamburg, while the red ballot features candidates specific to each electoral district. A sample ballot booklet will accompany the election notification, providing voters with an overview of the candidates.
Each voter can cast up to ten votes—five on the yellow ballot and five on the red ballot. It’s important to note that casting more than five votes on a single ballot will void that ballot. Additionally, voters can choose to submit a blank ballot, which will also be counted as invalid.
The distribution of seats in the Parliament is largely determined by these ballots. The yellow state list ballot influences the allocation of 50 seats, while the red district list ballot ensures that the elected representatives from various districts are represented, totaling 71 seats.
Candidates and Political Parties
Eligibility to run for election is granted to all German citizens who are 18 years or older on election day and have lived in Hamburg for at least three months. Several political parties, including the SPD, Greens, CDU, Left, FDP, Volt, and AfD, are gearing up for the election, along with the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) and various smaller parties, independent candidates, and voter associations.
For those interested in the election programs and profiles of leading candidates for the 2025 Hamburg Parliament election, resources are available to help voters make informed decisions.
Mark your calendars for March 2, 2025, as the Hamburg Parliament election approaches. Stay tuned for updates and insights into the political landscape leading up to this significant event.