Berlin – Lucas Halle speaks calmly, clearly and factually – and that is quite surprising. Because the man is only 24 years old. But despite his young age, he won the election for a venerable office. He becomes mayor of Zehdenick, a community of 14,000 people north of Berlin. With that he managed to get a real surprise.
He says his parents were amazed too. “They’re behind me,” he says. “But they also greeted my candidacy with a smile. They just thought it was very unlikely that I would take the city. But it worked and they were overwhelmed.”
Now Lucas Halle is a man of superlatives: He is currently the youngest full-time mayor in the entire Federal Republic and also the first Brandenburger to have conquered this title so far. A title that goes to East Germany for the first time in 20 years.
Politics instead of a soccer field
He doesn’t see himself as a political firebrand, but rather as someone who cares about structures, numbers and organization. “I had an eye for problems and solutions from a very early age,” he says. He studied public administration and has been working as a human resources clerk at the Police University in Oranienburg for two years. “They were happy for me, but also said that they regret that I’m leaving.”
Halle will probably take office at the beginning of April and has been elected for eight years. “I hope to complete the eight years,” he says and laughs. After two years in office, his non-party predecessor forestalled a voting procedure and resigned.
Halle has been in the SPD for a year, but has always been active as a spokesman for the students or trainees. “I also went to the city council meeting voluntarily while friends were at the soccer field or making music.” His goal: to get young people excited about politics. “I want to get them involved so they get involved. At the same time, there are enough problems to be solved for all age groups.” He is looking forward to the office – but there is also a but: “My season ticket at Hansa Rostock will probably have to rest.”
Hartmut Leib, SPD faction leader in Zehdenick, is happy about the victory, but admits: “We know that the expectations are high.” But he is sure that Halle can fulfill them. “He has the necessary qualifications and now actually has a personality to master this task.” With such young politicians, a new start is possible.
The Zehdenickers also see it that way, with 88 percent giving him a result that most veteran politicians can only dream of.