Munich is gearing up for its municipal elections on March 8, where citizens will decide on the future leadership of the city, potentially electing a new mayor. Incumbent Dieter Reiter from the SPD is aiming for a third term, while challengers Dominik Krause from the Greens and Clemens Baumgärtner from the CSU are determined to unseat him. The election is set against a backdrop of significant political stakes, as the next mayor will influence municipal policies for the next six years.

The leading candidates will participate in a 90-minute live-streamed debate on February 22 at the Munich Residenz Theater. This event will be moderated by Ulrike Heidenreich and René Hofmann, who head the Munich, Region, and Bavaria departments of the Süddeutsche Zeitung. With high interest in the election, the event is fully booked, and viewers can follow the discussion via livestream on the newspaper's website, providing a platform for broader public engagement in local politics.

As the election approaches, the candidates' differing visions for Munich's future are coming into sharper focus, particularly concerning local issues such as urban development, climate policy, and social justice. The outcome of the election could have significant ramifications not just for the city’s residents but also for the political landscape in Bavaria and beyond, as it reflects shifting priorities within Germany's larger political framework.