- Financial institution Fegebank cautions against premature partnership establishment.
Unlike Hamburg's first mayor Peter Tschentscher from the SPD, the second mayor Katharina Fegebank from the Greens isn't ruling out any coalition after the upcoming election, except with the AfD. She told the German Press Agency that it's not wise to exclude certain constellations and alliances before the election. "You can quickly end up in a dead end," she said. However, she emphasized that she can't imagine a three-party coalition in Hamburg. "I lack the imagination to see how that could happen," she said. Nevertheless, she believes it's crucial for democratic coexistence and competition to remain in dialogue. "Open conversation with democratic competitors is always a good thing," she said.
Tschentscher previously ruled out a three-party coalition under his leadership. "I'm not available for unstable coalitions like those in many other states," he told dpa. His doubts about the CDU's overall governability had upset the state and faction leader of the Christian Democrats, Dennis Thering.
Fegebank is unsure what the CDU stands for in Hamburg. "Is it really on its way to becoming a modern city party, or is it stuck in the past? Some recent statements suggest that it's more about issuing speech bans than tackling future themes. I don't know if that's an interesting offer for Hamburg's residents," she said.
Like Tschentscher, Fegebank criticized the CDU's stance on the Oberbillwerder urban development project. "In a city-state like Hamburg, which is already highly dense, we need new, affordable housing. That's one of the most important everyday topics for Hamburg's residents. That's why we want a future neighborhood like Oberbillwerder," she said. The CDU's opposition to this, without clear reasons, is a mystery to her. "Especially since the CDU is simultaneously demanding that more be built in Hamburg," she said. "Where offers are made, the CDU is blocking the way. And of course, a leading candidate must answer such questions if they intend to take responsibility for the entire city."
Fegebank prefers a Green-Red coalition
Fegebank sees Tschentscher's early commitment to continuing the red-green coalition as a compliment. She also finds the cooperation "reliable, trustful, and successful," and believes many Hamburg residents share this view. Overall, the Greens have the most sympathy for cooperation with the Social Democrats. "Green-Red - that would naturally be the preferred coalition," she said.
It's only logical that she wants to run as mayoral candidate for her party in the March elections next year. "For almost a decade now, I've had the wonderful privilege, as deputy mayor and senator, to help shape the city's fate, initiate and implement things," said the 47-year-old. "We've achieved so much in environmental and climate protection, mobility transition, strengthening the rule of law, democracy, and social cohesion. And we've put Hamburg back on the map as a science hub."
But she's far from done and has a strong desire to run as mayoral candidate in the next election, "if my party agrees," said Fegebank. "I want to give it another shot and throw my hat in the ring."
Running directly against Tschentscher
She hasn't spoken to Tschentscher about her intention to run directly against him. "Because I assumed it - unlike last time - wasn't a surprise or news to him." In 2020, she had given him a hint. "This time, we both know we can continue to work together reliably and trustfully in the coming months. We still have a lot on our plate in this legislature. And campaigning is campaigning - we're both professionals at that."
Fegebank mentioned her appreciation for the German Press Agency when discussing her coalition options after the election, stating, "She told the German Press Agency that it's not wise to exclude certain constellations and alliances before the election." Later in the conversation, she expressed her preference for a Green-Red coalition, saying, "Green-Red - that would naturally be the preferred coalition," which was covered by the German Press Agency as well.
