Reorganization in Traunstein: Who will be our new district administrator?

Reorganization in Traunstein: Who will be our new district administrator?

In the Traunstein district the time has finally come on June 29, 2025: a new district administrator will be elected. The new election became necessary because the previous incumbent, Siegfried Sebastian Walch (CSU), was elected to the German Bundestag. Walch, who has been at the head of the district since 2014, should have continued in office until 2026. In his absence, his deputy Josef Konhäuser has taken over the business and is calling on citizens to take part in the election.

Around 145,000 citizens are called upon to cast their votes in the district election. A majority of more than half of the votes is required to win in the first round. If this does not succeed, there will be a runoff election on July 13th in which the two candidates with the most votes will compete against each other. The results of the election will be published on the district office's website on election evening and will therefore be transparently accessible to everyone.

Candidates in portrait

Nine candidates are applying for the coveted office. These include a colorful mix of political profiles:

• Sebastian Gruttauer (AfD)
• Heinz Wallner (Bayernpartei)
• Sepp Hohlweger (Grüne)
  62 Jahre alt, verheiratet, als Tourismusunternehmer aktiv. Seit 2008 hat er einen Sitz im Kreistag und engagiert sich als Fraktionssprecher. Zu seinen politischen Zielen zählt die Stärkung der regionalen Wirtschaft und eine Verbesserung des ÖPNV im ländlichen Raum.
• Martin Lackner (CSU)
• Johann Martz (Die Linke)
  42 Jahre alt und als Bauleiter tätig, ohne bisherige politische Ämter, setzt sich für bezahlbares Wohnen und den Ausbau des ÖPNV ein.
• Andreas Danzer (Freie Wähler)
• Hans Wembacher (parteifrei)
  47 Jahre alt, verheiratet und beruflich als Digitalisierungsexperte tätig. Seine politischen Ziele umfassen mehr Transparenz in der Verwaltung und die Schaffung einer digitalen Echtzeit-Schaltzentrale für den Landkreis.
• Ute Künkele (ÖDP)
• Christian Kegel (SPD)

With this selection, the district election is an exciting affair that citizens are following with great interest. In Germany, such local elections are not only seen as an important democratic participation, but they also have a significant impact on local life, as they often put local issues on the agenda. As the Federal Agency for Civic Education notes, local elections often show greater support for smaller parties and citizens' initiatives, which can dynamically influence voter turnout.

Voters in the Traunstein district are faced with an important decision. It remains to be seen which candidates may run in the runoff election process on July 13th and how the distribution of votes will ultimately develop. What is certain is that the election ensures strong commitment from citizens - after all, it is the people's voices that determine the future course of the district.

The exact results of the election are eagerly awaited, and it remains to be seen which of the candidates can win the trust of the voters. This election paves the way to a new era for the Traunstein district.

Further information and details can be found on the pages of Passauer Neue Presse, [Chiemgau24]. bpb can be read.