District politics on the brink: SPD sharply criticizes CDU balance sheet!

District politics on the brink: SPD sharply criticizes CDU balance sheet!

The political landscape in the Rhein-Erft district is currently under critical observation, particularly due to the recent statements by Dierk Timm, the leader of the SPD parliamentary group. Timm sharply criticizes the CDU-led majority in the district council and district administrator Frank Rock. In his opinion, the goals he set himself have not been achieved since the last election in 2020. While the coalition partners set out their plans in a 21-page document five years ago, Timm complains about stagnation in climate and economic policy.

Only a pilot project to cover a parking lot has been implemented, while many suitable buildings in the district are still without photovoltaic systems. This leads to a debate about whether the CDU and Rock have actually kept their promises. Gregor Golland, the CDU parliamentary group leader, counters that almost all of the goals have been achieved. Timm contradicts this claim and calls for a rethink in how the district administration deals with opportunities and resources.

Criticism of transport policy and the health system

The discussion about the CDU's policies also includes the inability to act with regard to transport infrastructure. In particular, the expansion of cycling infrastructure is viewed as inadequate. In addition, the CDU did not keep its promise to further develop hospitals, which led to the closure of the clinic in Bedburg. Hans Decruppe, the BSW district administrator candidate, sees no significant impetus for structural change and the creation of industrial jobs in the current situation.

A worrying 14.7 percent increase in unemployment in April is seen as negative for the regional labor market. In addition, the lack of affordable housing for low-income earners is discussed as a serious problem. Deruppe states that this circumstance shows signs of a mood of change in the district. In the federal election in February, the share of the vote for the CDU, FDP and Greens fell from almost 62 percent, which was in the 2020 local elections, to just under 49 percent.

Local election campaign 2025

The SPD, the Free Voters, the Left and the BSW hope to endanger the majority of the CDU-led Jamaica coalition in the district council through a clever local election campaign. This goal is supported by the opinions and mobilization of voters in the region.

• CDU Direktmandate: Hans Schnäpp, Stephan Borst, Patrick De Vos, Achim Hermes, Monika Neumann, Helmut Paul, Addy Muckes, Bernhard Ripp, Hans Heinrich Funke, Wilhelm Liesenberg, Carola Hartmann, Regina Böhmer, Erika Simons, Michael Schmalen, Romina Plonsker, Holger Veit, Rafael Kriege, Marcus Rüttgers, Thomas Okos, Sylvia Prof. Dr. Knecht, Karla Palussek, Jan-Christoph Hebig, Gerd Fabian, Gudrun Baer, Frank Rock, Willi Zylajew, Gregor Golland, André Hess, Frank Klein, Paul Hambach.
• SPD Direktmandate: Heike Steinhäuser, Branko Appelmann, Helmut Halbritter.
• BSW Direktmandate: Hans Decruppe, Martina Thomas, Anna Ristow.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the political discussion will develop in the run-up to the upcoming local elections and what strategies the various parties will adopt to mobilize voters and draw attention to their concerns. The challenges in the region are diverse and require urgent solutions.

For further information on the political situation in the Rhein-Erft district, read the article by Cologne City Gazette as well as the election statistics kdvz.nrw.