The year-end interview with Potsdam Mayor Mike Schubert (SPD) caused very different reactions. Criticism came from the opposition in Stadthaus, praise from the Social Democrats.
The CDU opposition leader Matthias Finken took Schubert’s “unfortunately very general” statements as a reason for his own demands. There must be “the greatest possible transparency at an early stage” for the upcoming budget negotiations – including showing financial leeway for all parliamentary groups. Among other things, the CDU is calling for staff to be strengthened in building supervision and urban planning. “This accelerates the processing of development plans and building permits and thus the basis for the development of living space.” This is the only way to combat this problem.
Finken made it clear that there was also a demand for more innovative care ideas for parks and green spaces. As a savings option, he named the feasibility study for the planned House of Democracy at the Garrison Church, which would cost up to 500,000 euros. Overall, he said to Schubert for the interview: “He missed the opportunity to get the people of Potsdam excited about concrete plans and intentions.”
Hans-Jürgen Scharfenberg, head of the split-off part of the Left Group, put it even more harshly. If Schubert continues like this, he will not end his term of office, predicted Scharfenberg. In the interview, Schubert did not answer critical questions, for example about his personnel policy, or only answered evasively, he complained and accused him of “arrogant self-reflection”.
The chairman of the Christian Democratic Workers’ Association (CDA), which belongs to the Union, Jan Jacobi, also commented negatively on Schubert via Twitter: “He has not done his job well so far, he has disappointed the expectations of many citizens”. And: “It remains to be seen whether he can cope with the next four years.”
Backing, on the other hand, came from the SPD. Its district chief Andreas Schlueter tweeted: “In the crisis, character proves itself.” Last but not least, it is thanks to Mayor Schubert that Potsdam came through the crisis year 2022 better than many other cities, according to Schlueter. SPD city councilor Grit Schkölziger, in turn, complained about “a deficit-oriented interview”: “Anyone who only looks at what doesn’t work will never see what works.” So far, Potsdam SPD top representatives had been clearly reluctant to evaluate Schubert’s mid-term balance.
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