District administrator throws - In response: Mittelsachsen's Landrat Neubauer steps down
The District Administrator of Mittelsachsen, Dirk Neubauer (unaffiliated), is stepping down. In a personal statement on his Social Media channels, he explained the move on Tuesday primarily due to personal harassment and lack of enforcement capabilities. His term would have run until 2029.
The trained journalist was elected in 2022 - the only District Administrator in Saxony, who does not belong to the CDU or has their support. His candidacy was supported by SPD, Linke, and Greens.
"I have come to the realization that it makes no sense for me to continue working here. This means that I am making my office available as soon as possible", said Neubauer. The Kreistag should decide on a date for new elections in August.
Unclear Threat Situation from right-wing groups
As the first reason for his resignation, he cited harassment and threats. "I have been confronted with a diffuse threatening situation from the right-wing scene, mainly Free Saxony and similar groups", said Neubauer. I have reached a point where I have to say: Enough.
However, he will not go down on his knees "before a few troublemakers", emphasized the still-Landrat. A significant factor was also the lack of political will to shape the region. "We have a large conservative majority against the issues that are currently important." He named the Energy Transition, mobility concepts for the rural region, and a different economic development. "All this is not finding majorities."
Warning against Hate and Hatred
Mittelsachsen has many problems. If this region does not show itself as an open region with a friendly face, it will not solve these problems. "We need that and we cannot get it with Hate and Hatred", said Neubauer.
Before his work as District Administrator, Neubauer had been the Mayor of the small town of Augustusburg since 2013. He had been a member of the SPD for several years but left before the last federal election. On his Facebook channel, he had already given hints of a new project a few days ago - a consulting firm.
Politicians lament poisoned climate in the state
Justice Minister Katja Meier described Neubauer as a "passionate Democrat." He had always energetically opposed Hate, Hatred, and Threats from Right-wing Extremists. "His tenure, like that of many other communal politicians in Saxony, was marked by intimidation and political stalking in the private sphere. These massive attacks damage our democracy and must be fought both socially and legally."
"It's unbelievable how a District Administrator was worn down here", explained Social Minister and SPD top candidate Petra Köpping on the platform X. "We are all people. We all endure Hate and division up to a certain point. We are once again at a point where it is clear to all Democrats what is at stake here."
Wolfram Günther: "This must be a wake-up call."
"If no one else is willing to take on offices, democracy will fail. This must be a wake-up call. For a society that opposes Right-wing extremism, for a state that consistently pursues Hate and Hatred", wrote Environment and Climate Protection Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens) on the platform X.
The Saxon SPD co-chairman Henning Homann called Neubauer's withdrawal understandable from a human perspective, but politically a disaster. "It's intolerable now how people are treated who wanted to engage with their city, their district, their country," he criticized some parts of the CDU in Mittelsachsen who allegedly refused to participate in any work.
Link political figures also lamented a poisoned social atmosphere. "We as a society cannot accept that threats are made to politicians and politicians at their own doorstep. It is also a disgrace for our democracy when a district administrator comes to the conclusion that he can achieve more outside of his office," explained Landeschef Stefan Hartmann and the middle Saxony district chair Marika Tändler-Walenta.
The FDP Saxony responded with regret and incomprehension. The hostilities from the right should generally be problematic and not endurable. A district administrator as a civil servant should neither politically polarize himself nor throw the shotgun into the bushes against the wind, it was stated.
Just last week, CDU Bundestag member Yvonne Magwas from Vogtland announced her resignation from politics. She also wrote that she had experienced insults, threats, but also a lot of indifference. "If our country continues on this path, it will be dark and cold - more people should think about this in all small and big inconveniences."
- Despite facing harassment and threats from right-wing groups, such as Free Saxony and similar groups, the District Administrator of Mittelsachsen, Dirk Neubauer, remains committed to opposing hate and hatred.
- In his resignation statement, Neubauer expressed his concerns about a diffuse threatening situation from the right-wing scene and the lack of political will to advocate for important issues like the energy transition and economic development in Saxony.
- As the only District Administrator in Saxony not affiliated with the CDU, Neubauer was elected in 2022 with the support of the SPD, Linke, and Greens, demonstrating the potential for political unity and cooperation beyond traditional party lines.
- Despite the challenges, Neubauer's commitment to democracy and opposition to right-wing extremism has been recognized and praised by politicians from across the spectrum, including Justice Minister Katja Meier, Social Minister and SPD top candidate Petra Köpping, and Environment and Climate Protection Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens).
- The resignation of Dirk Neubauer from his role as District Administrator of Mittelsachsen serves as a wake-up call for society and the political establishment, highlighting the need to address the rising tide of hate and hatred and ensure a safe and inclusive political landscape for all.
