Munich, March 25 – Dominik Krause (Greens) is set to lead the full session of the Munich City Council for the first time in his new capacity as designated Lord Mayor of Munich. The 35-year-old will preside over the meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 9:00 AM, representing the current Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD), who remains in office until the end of April but has been on sick leave “until further notice” since his defeat in the runoff election.
Krause’s Victory and Reiter’s Absence
Krause secured a decisive victory in the runoff election, garnering 56.4 percent of the votes, while Reiter managed only 43.6 percent. Following his electoral loss, Mayor Reiter has been absent from public duties, remaining on sick leave. This marks a significant shift in Munich’s political landscape, with Krause stepping into a leadership role even before his official inauguration.
The transition period has been characterized by Reiter’s public invisibility since the election results. His sick leave, which is expected to last until the end of April, has placed Krause in an immediate position of responsibility, leading council meetings and managing administrative affairs.
Official Handover in May
Krause is scheduled to officially assume the mayoral duties on May 1, 2026. This date also marks his planned move into the mayoral offices and the formal organizational handover. The Greens politician will be officially inaugurated into office on May 11, 2026.
This current representation is not Krause’s first experience in filling in for Reiter. After the first round of elections on March 8, the outgoing mayor took a vacation to focus on his election campaign. During that time, Krause stepped in, leading sessions and handling administrative matters. The 35-year-old conducted his own campaign for voters’ favor outside of his official working hours.
The Road Ahead for Munich
The upcoming city council session under Krause’s leadership is expected to address key municipal issues, setting the tone for his tenure as mayor. The early assumption of responsibilities provides Krause with an opportunity to familiarize himself further with the intricacies of Munich’s governance.
The change in leadership comes at a crucial time for Munich, with various urban development projects, environmental initiatives, and social programs on the agenda. Krause’s leadership will be closely watched as he navigates these challenges and implements his vision for the city.
The political transition underscores the democratic process in Munich, where voters have opted for a new direction. The focus now shifts to the effective transfer of power and the continued smooth functioning of the city administration under new leadership.
The public and political observers alike will be keen to see how Krause’s initial leadership of the city council plenum shapes the immediate future of Munich’s governance and policy-making.
Source: dpa-infocom, dpa:260325-930-862254/1
