Hanau's 2026 local elections shift power as SPD leads but mayoral race heads to runoff
The latest Hanau local elections have reshaped the city's political landscape. Voters chose their representatives for the City Council and Foreigners' Advisory Council on 15 March 2026, with a turnout of 46.4%. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) emerged as the leading force, while the mayoral race now heads to a runoff.
In the City Council election, the SPD secured the highest share with 31.25% of the vote, earning 18 seats. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) followed closely with 29.07%, gaining 17 seats. Alliance 90/The Greens took third place, winning 10.44% of the vote and 6 seats.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) also claimed 6 seats after receiving 9.39% of the vote. Smaller parties made gains too: the Free Democratic Party (FDP) won 2 seats, while Citizens for Hanau, BSW, Volt, and Free Voters each secured 1 seat. The Left and Justice Party both took 3 seats each. For the Foreigners' Advisory Council, the Justice Party dominated with 57.49% of the vote, earning 9 seats. The SPD received the remaining 42.51%, giving them 6 seats. The mayoral race saw SPD candidate Maximilian Bieri lead with 48.1% in the first round. CDU's Isabelle Hemsley followed with 35.7%. As neither reached an outright majority, a runoff between the two will take place on 29 March. Other candidates, including those from the Greens, FDP, Left, and Justice Party, each received under 5% of the vote.
The SPD now holds the most seats in Hanau's City Council, but the CDU remains a strong second. The mayoral election will be decided in the upcoming runoff, with Bieri and Hemsley as the final contenders. Final comparisons to the 2023 Hessen state election results are still pending.
