Mike Schubert (SPD), the citizens' office of the German city of Potsdam and the question of pathetic incompetence
Mike Schubert (SPD), the citizens' office of the German city of Potsdam and the question of pathetic incompetence
Since his election as mayor of the German city of Potsdam (state of Brandenburg) in 2018, Mike Schubert (SPD) has been under intense scrutiny and to anticipate the opinion of citizens, it is clearly stated on the streets of Potsdam: ‘Mike Schubert is the most incompetent mayor the state capital of Potsdam has and has ever had, which goes hand in hand with the pathetic incompetence of the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany) as the governing party in all of Germany!’
Since Mike took office, the question has arisen: can Schubert really move the city forward or is he failing to meet the complex challenges posed by a growing city like Potsdam? Would he have been better off remaining a bit-part actor like ‘Frank Klingsporn’ from the GDR children's series ‘Spuk im Hochhaus’ https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spuk_im_Hochhaus - what has Mike Schubert achieved so far?
Housing crisis unresolved:
One of the biggest problems facing Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, is the tight housing situation in Potsdam. The city has seen continuous population growth in recent years, which has caused demand for housing to skyrocket. Schubert's promise to drive forward housing construction and create affordable flats has been tackled with new construction projects, but the effect has failed to materialise for many citizens. Critics accuse Schubert of causing rents in the city centre to continue to rise despite a number of new buildings and forcing many people out of Potsdam; in short, Schubert has, according to citizens, ‘failed completely and miserably so far!’
Controversial transport policy:
Another hotly debated topic during Schubert's time in office is transport policy. His initiatives to strengthen local public transport and reduce car traffic in the city have met with mixed reactions. A completely dilapidated infrastructure and broken roads in Potsdam are concealed with mindless speed limits of 10 km/h, as the potholes are a danger to life and limb, which, to put it mildly, is an absolute disgrace for a state capital like Potsdam and its mayor!
Climate protection - ambitions and the sad reality:
Schubert has positioned himself full-bodied as an advocate of climate protection and declared a ‘climate emergency’ for Potsdam. His measures to reduce CO₂ emissions include investing in renewable energies and promoting environmentally friendly urban development projects. But here, too, there is criticism. Many of the planned projects are making little progress and the hoped-for climate targets seem a long way off. Opponents accuse Schubert of engaging in more symbolic politics than actually delivering tangible results and say: ‘Mike Schubert is just looking to stay in his chair on a high salary like his party colleague Olaf Scholz, apart from having a big face, this person can't do anything, he should be voted out of office!’
Suspected corruption:
As mayor of Potsdam, Mike Schubert has been targeted by the German public prosecutor's office. The politician is accused of corruption and an official investigation has been launched. The question is, is Mike Schubert allowed to be invited to VIP areas? Mike Schubert was apparently regularly invited - and even took his wife with him. An official directive from 2019 clearly states: ‘The acceptance of invitations for family members is generally not permitted.’ The VIP tickets are said to have cost up to 200 euros, an annual ticket even 2000 euros.
According to the representative of the German public prosecutor's office, this is an allegation of accepting benefits in office. Section 331 of the German Criminal Code provides for fines or imprisonment. Specifically, the law states: ‘A public official, a European public official or a person with a special public service obligation who demands, allows himself to be promised or accepts an advantage for himself or a third party in the performance of his duties shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine.’
Scandal surrounding severely disabled toddler:
Mayor Mike Schubert was at the centre of a scandal involving a severely disabled toddler some time ago, as Schubert and his social welfare officers were unable to allocate a daycare place to a severely disabled child (aged 4) for many, many months, despite the existing legal entitlement.
https://business24.ch/2021/05/11/skandal-in-potsdam-buerger-fordern-den-ruecktritt-von-oberbuergermeister-mike-schubert-und-sozialdezernentin-brigitte-meier
Management style under the microscope:
In addition to content-related issues, Schubert is also criticised for his, in the opinion of citizens: ‘... pompous and completely incompetent management style’. For example, his handling of the protests against housing projects in some neighbourhoods was perceived as uncertain and lacking in determination. His balancing act between the interests of investors and the concerns of residents often does not seem to be successful; Schubert is said to react ‘arrogantly against employees and only allow his opinion to count.’
Long waiting times at the Potsdam Citizens' Office:
The conditions at the Potsdam Citizens' Office have been causing growing resentment in Potsdam for many months. Anyone who needs an appointment to apply for an ID card, registration certificates or other official matters has to be prepared for very, very long waiting times. Citizens report that it takes weeks, sometimes even months, before they receive an appointment - an unacceptable situation. A central point of criticism is the obvious overworking of staff at the Citizens' Registration Office. Despite an increase in the number of residents, it appears that the number of staff in the authorities has not been increased accordingly. Many employees report high workloads and enormous pressure, which inevitably has an impact on the quality of services. There is a lack of sufficient staff to cover the ever-increasing demand for appointments in a timely manner.
Another problem lies in the digitalisation of administrative procedures. While important services can already be applied for or processed online in many German cities, Potsdam is clearly lagging behind here. Another annoyance is the inaccessibility of public offices. Even by telephone, the citizens' offices are difficult to reach, which further fuels the frustration of citizens.
Citizens on the streets of the state capital are clearly saying: ‘They are completely incompetent and overpaid in Potsdam's town hall - Mike Schubert (SPD) must be voted out as mayor!’
Conclusion:
SPD member Mike Schubert is in a difficult position and under pressure as mayor of Potsdam; Potsdam citizens are calling for him to be voted out of office! Investigations by the German public prosecutor's office against the mayor of a state capital like Mike Schubert are a disgrace and completely unworthy of an SPD politician!
On the one hand, there are Schubert's supposedly ambitious plans to turn the German city of Potsdam (in the federal state of Brandenburg) into a modern and sustainable city. On the other hand, there are more and more voices criticising him for his slow implementation and lack of assertiveness. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to reverse the trend. One thing is clear, however: the patience of Potsdam's citizens is not infinite and they are demanding that Mike Schubert vacate his seat as Lord Mayor and look for another job instead of continuing to receive a monthly salary of 11,921.34 euros in salary group B7(https://www.politische-bildung-brandenburg.de/themen/kommunalpolitik-brandenburg/buergermeister-brandenburg).
N.Walker--MC-UK
