Expert Report Supports Hanau's Lawsuit Against Census Results - Hanau's Mayor Fights Flawed Census After Expert Report Exposes Gaps
Hanau's mayor has rejected the latest census results, claiming the city's population has been unfairly reduced. The dispute centres on Germany's 2022 census, which an independent expert report now calls deeply flawed. At stake is nearly €10 million a year in lost funding for the Hesse city.
The expert report highlights serious issues with the census process. It describes the official documentation as 'gravely incomplete', missing key details like calculation programs, intermediate steps, and supporting data. These gaps make it impossible to verify how population figures were determined.
Hanau's legal challenge gains weight from the findings. The report backs the city's long-standing criticism of transparency failures and methodological weaknesses. Mayor Maximant Bieri has repeatedly refused to accept the lower population count, arguing it does not reflect reality.
The state statistical office defends its approach, stating its methods are scientifically robust and legally approved. Constitutional courts have previously upheld similar census procedures. Yet the expert report suggests the lack of detailed records undermines confidence in the results.
Hanau is not the only city taking action. Several other municipalities in Hesse have also launched lawsuits over their official population numbers. The city plans to use the report as central evidence in its ongoing case.
The census dispute leaves Hanau facing potential annual losses of around €10 million. With the expert report now validating its concerns, the city's legal fight moves forward. Other Hesse municipalities are pursuing similar challenges, raising broader questions about the reliability of the 2022 census.
