Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Neubrandenburg Mayor Witt on resignation: “A lot of pressure”

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Neubrandenburg Mayor Witt on resignation: “A lot of pressure”

October 13, 2024, 4:55 p.m

Neubrandenburg mayor Silvio Witt has commented on the reasons for his announced resignation. This was preceded by a decision to remove the rainbow flag at the train station.

Neubrandenburg/Berlin (dpa/mv) – Neubrandenburg’s mayor Silvio Witt (independent) has commented on the background to his announced resignation in May 2025. At an event organized by the Körber Foundation in Berlin, Witt said, according to a recording published by NDR: “A lot has happened, there’s a lot of pressure being exerted.”

At some point this had an impact on those around him, on his husband, his family and friends. A key experience was when his mother sent him a Whatsapp message in the morning saying: “Today it’s not as bad as what’s in the newspaper.”

Witt’s regular term would last until 2029. He has been mayor of the third largest city in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since 2015 and was re-elected in 2022 with a large lead over his only opponent.

Resolution against rainbow flag

The mayor’s resignation announcement was preceded by a majority decision by the Neubrandenburg city council to no longer fly the rainbow flag at the train station as a result of several attacks. Witt announced his resignation in May 2025 the following day.

In the past he had spoken out in favor of a cosmopolitan and tolerant Neubrandenburg – including as patron of Christopher Street Day events. The 45-year-old Witt also appeared on social media with the rainbow flag. In the past, unknown people had exchanged the rainbow flag at the train station several times for a flag with a swastika.

Demonstration at the train station

Jutta Wegner, member of the state parliament for the Green Party, was dismayed after Witt’s announcement: “The numerous attacks he has had to endure in recent years worry me. In the city council, but also in city society, voices have become loud that advocate division and agitation rather than fair treatment. The left in the state parliament described the city representatives’ decision as a shameful signal. On Friday, around 200 people demonstrated peacefully at the train station – with numerous rainbow flags.