Munich has elected Dominik Krause of the Green Party as its new Lord Mayor, marking a significant political turning point for the German city. The 35-year-old physicist won the runoff election with 56.4% of the vote, defeating the long-serving incumbent Dieter Reiter of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
The result concludes an era of SPD leadership that has defined Munich for most of the post-war period. For 72 years, the city has been a reliable stronghold for the Social Democrats, often standing in contrast to the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) that governs the state of Bavaria. Krause's victory signals a new political landscape in the state's capital.
The incumbent, Dieter Reiter, acknowledged his role in the defeat. "I messed it up," he stated on election night, referencing a late-campaign controversy over his failure to disclose details of his work for the FC Bayern Munich football club, which appeared to damage voter trust.
From Activist Physicist to 'BürGAYmeister'
For many in Munich, Dominik Krause was a relatively new face in top-tier politics. Born in the city in 1990, he studied physics before entering local government. He has stated that his political awakening came after witnessing a neo-Nazi march, which motivated him to join the Green Party and co-found the popular anti-extremism association "München ist bunt" ("Munich is Colourful").
Krause has long been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He previously served as the leader of the Green Party and Rosa Liste (a local queer electoral list) faction in the city council before becoming Second Mayor in October 2023. During the campaign, he embraced his identity with posters that read "BürGAYmeister"—a play on the German word for mayor, Bürgermeister.
When asked previously about the focus on being Munich's "first openly gay mayor," Krause emphasized the continued need for visibility. "In 2023, one's sexuality should no longer matter. Unfortunately, many queer people are still affected by discrimination, even in Munich," he said. "As long as that is the case, I believe visibility is important."
His commitment extends beyond local politics. Before the full-scale Russian invasion, he traveled to Kyiv on multiple occasions to support the LGBTQ+ community and participate in its CSD (Pride) march.
A New Chapter for Munich
Krause, who lives with his fiancé Sebastian Müller in the Giesing district, is known for his open and sometimes provocative style. He once gained national attention for calling Oktoberfest the "world's largest open drug scene" while advocating for the legalization of cannabis—a move that drew sharp criticism from festival organizers but established his reputation as a politician willing to challenge the status quo.
His election is expected to be watched closely by Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU), who has frequently positioned the Greens as his primary political opponents. With the Greens now leading Germany's third-largest city, a new dynamic is set to unfold between the Munich city hall and the state chancellery.
