Kassel (dpa/lhe) - After months of disputes within his own party, the incumbent mayor of Kassel, Christian Geselle (SPD), will stand as an independent candidate in the mayoral election on March 12 next year. He announced this on Wednesday in a letter available to the dpa to the SPD members. But he does not want to leave the party. "I am and will remain a social democrat and would like to continue to shape Kassel together with you," Geselle wrote in the letter. The SPD is expected to comment on how to proceed on Thursday.
This was preceded by a dispute over the formation of a coalition in the Kassel town hall. In June, the black-green town hall coalition in Kassel burst. The SPD then began talks with the CDU with the aim of preventing a Jamaica coalition in City Hall. While Geselle was on vacation, a majority of his party decided to break off talks with the Christian Democrats about cooperation.
Geselle then demanded the resignation of the local party leadership. He felt betrayed and personally disappointed, he explained in a public letter. A subsequent attempt at mediation within the party failed.
Geselle now said he understands the struggle for different positions. "My responsibility as mayor goes far beyond that, as I have to keep an eye on the entire city." That's why he thinks it's right to stay out of party-political disputes.
