Friedberg is growing: the city council moves into the castle because of the new population!

Friedberg is growing: the city council moves into the castle because of the new population!

In Friedberg it will soon be “moving to the castle”. Due to the increased population of 30,011, the city council will increase to 40 members at the next local elections on March 8, 2026. This means that the monthly meetings are held in the historic Great Hall of Wittelsbach Castle. The current meeting room in the town hall will be far too narrow with the new number of members Bavarian state newspaper reported.

However, the city is not looking at the demographic changes with such cheer: While some communities are celebrating an increase in residents, the parties in the Friedberg city council have clearly signaled that they are not happy with the increase. Mayor Roland Eichmann has therefore already appealed to the parliamentary groups in the state parliament to reconsider the regulation.

The challenges for the city council

The now inevitable expansion of the city council also brings with it very practical challenges. City spokesman Frank Büschel points out that it will not be easy to find enough suitable candidates for the upcoming elections. Smaller groups in particular have difficulty attracting enough people who are interested in volunteering. The Augsburger Allgemeine reports that the CSU and FDP are already drawing up a joint list, while the SPD is optimistic that it will be able to nominate suitable candidates. The Greens, on the other hand, are struggling with generational change and the question of gender distribution on their lists.

The changed number of city councilors could not only bring about changes in the seating arrangement, but also have far-reaching consequences for the city of Friedberg. If the city were to receive the status of a “large district town”, which is possible with a population of 30,000 or more, the mayor would not only be assured of greater powers but also a better salary. Friedberg could also generate additional income of around one million euros from property transfer tax. This would be a real stroke of luck for the city, especially since it has been fulfilling many of the functions of a large district town for over 30 years, as the Bayerische Staatszeitung notes.

Legal status and upcoming elections

The upcoming local elections are not only important for the city council, but also for the entire city development. Prostitution is also permitted in the municipality with a population of 30,000 or more, although Friedberg has already applied for a restricted area ordinance. This is another point that influences the city and its possibilities. The Bavarian statistics on voter turnout show that the last local elections provide interesting insights into the legal framework of local self-government.

The next legislative period, which will begin with the local elections in March 2026, promises to be exciting. The citizens of Friedberg have the opportunity to actively shape how their city should develop in the future. Whether in a historic castle or in the digital age – the focus is on peaceful dialogue and citizen engagement.