Proposal sought for a worker radiation safety directive, addressing risks from ionising radiation exposure, by the Commission.

In a surprising turn of events, Thomas Gerster, the long-standing chairman of the Mainz CDU, has announced that he will not seek re-election after four years in the position. Gerster, who has been involved in local politics for decades, served on the local council and represented the CDU in the Mainz city council as the spokesperson for transport and construction.

Gerster's decision not to run for re-election is not due to a loss of interest, but rather due to family commitments. He will, however, continue to remain in the city council and continue as the spokesperson for construction policy. Gerster has also been re-elected as deputy faction chair.

Claudia Siebner has been named the new faction chair in the city council, replacing Thomas Gerster. Siebner, a seasoned politician, is expected to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table.

Under Gerster's leadership, the Mainz CDU has faced tough times and suffered election defeats. However, the party has managed to improve its result in the 2024 communal election, achieving a respectable 23.6%. This improvement is largely maintained compared to the 2019 communal election.

One of Gerster's key concerns has been the closure of businesses due to construction sites and inaccessible parking garages. He has expressed his concern about the recent closure of the children's store Wirth and calls for the retail sector to speak up loudly if something goes wrong.

Gerster has also highlighted the need for more trees on the Ernst-Ludwig-Platz, Münsterplatz, and Gutenbergplatz to combat heat issues in Mainz. He believes that there is now a greater understanding in the city government about the need for more greening and traffic improvement.

The CDU is planning to be more active in traffic and greening, with a focus on balancing tree planting and tree felling. The party aims to become more visible in Mainz during the state election campaign, focusing on economic promotion, traffic, and greening. This includes increasing its presence, particularly in social networks, to engage citizens authentically and regularly with relevant local topics.

Gerster believes that the CDU is in a better position now than it was four years ago and aims to achieve improvements in construction site management and parking management. He remains optimistic about the future of the Mainz CDU and the city of Mainz as a whole.

For more information about the realignment of the CDU Mainz, including the change in party chairmanship, readers are invited to visit the party's website.

Proposal sought for a worker radiation safety directive, addressing risks from ionising radiation exposure, by the Commission.