The Landrat of Mittelsachsen resigns
As the only Landrat in Saxony not elected on a CDU ticket, Dirk Neubauer resigns after just two years. He cites threats from the right as the reason. However, he refuses to give in to a few troublemakers, he emphasizes. Lacking political will to shape the region was also a decisive factor.
The Landrat of the Mittelsachsen district, Dirk Neubauer (unaffiliated), is stepping down, among other reasons, due to threats "from the right-wing fringe." In a personal statement on his social media channels, he justified the move primarily with personal harassment and lack of effectiveness. His term was set to run until 2029. The trained journalist was elected in 2022 - the only Landrat in Saxony not affiliated with or supported by the CDU. His candidacy was supported by the 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 for the earliest possible date," said Neubauer. The Kreistag is to decide on a new election date in August.
As the first reason for his resignation, he cited harassment and threats. "I have been confronted with a vague threatening situation from the right-wing fringe for months, mainly from Free Saxony and similar groups," said Neubauer. He has reached a point where he must say: Enough. He will not give in "to a few troublemakers," emphasized the outgoing Landrat.
Lacking political will to shape the region was also a decisive factor. "We have a large conservative majority against the issues that are currently important," he said. He named the energy transition, mobility concepts for the rural region, and a different economic development. "None of this finds a majority." If the region does not show a welcoming face to the world, it will not solve these problems. "We need that and we cannot get it with hate and hatred," said Neubauer.
"This must be a wake-up call"
Before his work as Landrat, 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.
The Saxon Justice Minister Katja Meier described Neubauer as a "passionate democrat." He had always energetically opposed hate, harassment, and threats from the far-right. "His tenure, like that of many other communal politicians in Saxony, was marked by intimidation and political stalking in the private sphere," said Meier. These massive attacks harm our democracy and must be fought both socially and legally.
"I am shocked that a Landrat was driven out," explained Saxony's Social Minister and SPD top candidate Petra Köpping on the platform X. "We are all human. 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." "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 Umwelt- and Climate Protection Minister Wolfram Günther on the platform X.
In light of the threats and harassment from right-wing extremist groups, such as Free Saxony, Landrat Dirk Neubauer of Saxony's Mittelsachsen district decided to resign from his position. Despite the threats, Neubauer refused to back down, emphasizing that he will not succumb to a few troublemakers. The political will to shape the region and address important issues like the energy transition and economic development was also a significant factor in his decision to step down.
