The Courage to Collaborate

Mayor Jörg Volleth during the meeting (Photo: Kurt Fuchs)

The City Council convened on May 12 at the Heinrich-Lades-Halle for its first meeting following the election. During the meeting, Mayor Jörg Volleth delivered his inaugural address, titled “The Courage to Collaborate.” Listen to the speech: Speech by Mayor Jörg Volleth at the 2026 constituent City Council meeting

The Speech

- The spoken word takes precedence -

“Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

distinguished guests,

I am very pleased to welcome you all here today to the inaugural meeting of our City Council. This is a special moment—for our city, for this body, and also for me personally. It fills me with even greater gratitude that so many of you have accepted the invitation.

I would like to extend a special greeting today to my family. Without their support, patience, and tireless encouragement over the past few months, this journey would not have been possible. An election campaign is not the work of a single person—it is always a collective effort involving those who, behind the scenes, provide support, strength, and sometimes even a safety net. I would also like to thank the citizens of our city for the trust they have placed in me. This trust is both a mandate and an obligation for me.

At the end of April, we bid farewell to several members of this council—people who have shaped and guided our city for years and taken on leadership roles. We offer them our respect and gratitude for their volunteer service. At the same time, I see many new faces in this chamber today. I warmly congratulate you on your election. You bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and new energy—and that is precisely what makes for a vibrant local democracy. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter: experienced leaders and new voices are coming together. Time-tested knowledge meets fresh perspectives. If we succeed in embracing this diversity as a strength, then together we can achieve a great deal for our city.

During the campaign, I often spoke of a new beginning. This phrase was not merely a catchphrase, but an expression of an attitude—the conviction that our city is ready for new paths, for bold decisions, and for a sense of community that goes beyond the familiar. And I believe we can rightly say today: This new beginning starts now. Perhaps even more than that—a new chapter is dawning for our city. For the first time in our city’s history, the Greens/Green List and the Christian Social Union are sharing responsibility. This is no ordinary step. It is a sign that we are ready to rethink responsibility and build bridges where differences may previously have been emphasized.

The election has shown that many citizens want exactly that: a collaboration of different perspectives, a “Black-Green” coalition that does not remain locked in opposition but seeks solutions through dialogue. We take this mandate seriously. Through intensive and constructive discussions, we have drafted a cooperation agreement that pursues a clear goal: to ensure the city council’s and city administration’s ability to act in the long term. Especially in light of the tight budget situation, our city needs reliable political majorities to make necessary decisions and shape long-term developments.

In our recent discussions, we made a conscious decision to once again include two additional mayoral posts in the coalition. This decision is not an end in itself, nor is it a matter of positions or titles. It is based on the experience that this model has proven successful in Erlangen in the past: through a broad distribution of responsibility, through greater presence in our city’s various areas of activity, and through faster coordination in day-to-day operations. At the same time, we are well aware that such a decision also entails responsibility in the management of public funds. That is why it was clear to us from the very beginning: If we organize additional political responsibility in this area, then we must consciously exercise restraint and make cutbacks elsewhere. These cutbacks will affect our own administrative division in particular. Consequently, there will be reductions in administrative staff as well as in personal assistants. In the long term, this structure is also intended to result in there being only six departments in the future.

The focus of our shared responsibility will include, among other things, specifically promoting our city’s economic strength so that we can continue to invest in areas that directly improve people’s lives. We also want to work together to consistently advance digitalization and make processes faster, more transparent, and more service-oriented. Another focus of our collaboration will be effective and sustainable urban development. Our city should grow, but with a sense of proportion, quality, and consideration for the needs of all generations. This cooperation is therefore not a matter of settling for the lowest common denominator. It is a shared commitment to take responsibility, develop viable solutions, and reliably guide our city through challenging times.

At the same time, one thing is particularly important to me: This cooperation is not meant to be a division, but an invitation. It is not intended to exclude any democratic voices—quite the contrary. Our City Council thrives on the diversity of opinions, on constructive criticism, and on the shared effort to find the best ideas. Because in the end, we are all united by one goal: to achieve what is best for our city. The people of Erlangen rightly expect us to work together in the City Council for the good of our city. And we intend to live up to this mandate—respectfully, openly, and with a firm commitment to sharing responsibility. Let us therefore not view this new path as a dividing line, but as a bridge—between experience and renewal, between different political approaches, and above all between all of us who are taking on responsibility here today.

But as much of a new beginning as this moment represents—we must not ignore reality. We are currently experiencing a global political situation that seems to be falling apart in many places. Crises, conflicts, and profound changes dominate the news and affect our daily lives. These developments lead to uncertainty and stress. People therefore long for confidence, reliability, and positive developments. However, our ability to shape the future is severely limited by the current budget situation. It is therefore only honest to acknowledge that the coming term of office will demand a great deal from all of us. Shouldering responsibility is not always comfortable—and it will certainly not always be a joy in the coming years.

Our city faces a financial situation that cannot be sugarcoated. The budget situation is tight, and in some respects even alarming. The leeway we might wish for simply does not exist. Many things that seem sensible and desirable will not be feasible immediately—or to the desired extent—under the current circumstances. That is precisely why it is now crucial to make the right decisions—with foresight, sound judgment, and the clear goal of ensuring our ability to act. We must set priorities, weigh our options carefully, and at the same time have the courage to take even uncomfortable paths. Because standing still is not an option. The goal is to continue developing our city while preserving the structures on which our citizens rely.

In a situation like this, no one can or should sit back and do nothing. It won’t work to shift responsibility onto others or wait until difficult decisions have been made. This mandate demands commitment—from each and every one of us. It requires a willingness to get involved, take a stand, and actively share in the responsibility. I am also very aware of my own responsibility in this regard. As mayor, I will do everything in my power to develop sustainable solutions—including by breaking new ground.

I am convinced that if we tackle these challenges together—with seriousness, commitment, and a willingness to collaborate—we can achieve a great deal for our city, even under difficult conditions. And we have a lot to accomplish. Because despite all the constraints imposed on us by our financial situation, there are key tasks that cannot be put off.

For me, this includes, in particular, the creation of additional affordable housing. The need is there, and it is palpable. For many people in our city, the search for a suitable and affordable apartment has long since become one of the most pressing social issues. The situation is all the more challenging given that traditional funding sources are currently largely exhausted or at least severely limited. The tight budget situation—not only here locally, but also at the federal and state levels—means that we cannot rely on the necessary impetus coming from outside. This means that we must take action ourselves and develop our own solutions through smart land-use policies, new partnerships, and more efficient procedures.

At the same time, we must not lose sight of what truly holds our city together at its core: quality education, reliable childcare, and a functioning infrastructure. Investments in these areas are not merely “nice to have”—they are the foundation for our city’s future. The renovation of existing facilities, equipping them with modern amenities, and, where necessary, expanding their capacity must therefore remain a high priority. The character of our city will also continue to change. One area that is a particular focus in this regard is our downtown. It is the heart of our city—and this heart needs new momentum. The goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents, enable new uses, and breathe new life into our city centers. An important starting point in this effort is addressing vacant properties. We are seeing changes—particularly in office space—that present challenges but also open up opportunities. Where traditional uses disappear, new ones can emerge: housing, creative workspaces, spaces for services, or even for community use. Initial projects are already showing that this transformation is possible—and they encourage us to continue down this path with determination.

We will only succeed in all of this if we take a strategic approach, set priorities, and join forces. We won’t be able to do everything at once. But if we focus on what matters most, we can set the right course for our city’s future. Yet amid all these issues, there is one thing we must not forget: Our city is also a city with extraordinary potential. Science, business, medicine, and innovation shape its character and project its influence far beyond the city limits. But these strengths do not come automatically—they must be nurtured, further developed, and wisely supported.

It will therefore be a central task of this City Council to provide precisely these areas with the opportunities they need to flourish. This includes, in particular, creating new commercial spaces and opening up room for development. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the city as a whole. The urban development concept already initiated provides us with an important framework for this, one that must be preserved and further developed. We find ourselves navigating a balancing act: On the one hand, we want to—and must—preserve our urban qualities and established standards. On the other hand, reality demands that we break new ground in some areas and let go of cherished aspects of our city’s character. The so-called “construction turbo,” the implementation of which is currently being initiated, is an expression of this new dynamic. It brings changes—but it is also a necessary response to the demands of our time. Our task will be to follow this path responsibly: open to new ideas, ready for change, yet with the necessary sense of proportion. It is about finding the right balance—between speed and quality, between growth and identity, between progress and preserving what makes our city unique.

However, all of this can only succeed if politicians and city officials work closely together. No matter how good an idea may be, no matter how enthusiastic a city council member may be, they cannot make an impact without an efficient and dedicated city administration. It is the employees of our administration who take the decisions of this body, review them from a technical perspective, refine them, and translate them into concrete, actionable measures. They are the ones who turn political objectives into viable concepts, keep an eye on the legal, financial, and organizational framework, and ensure that words ultimately turn into action. This work often takes place behind the scenes, with great care, a high level of professional expertise, and—I would like to emphasize this explicitly—with remarkable dedication to our city. I would also like to extend my special thanks to the staff of the Mayor’s Office and the Press Office. They have provided me with intensive support over the past few days, prepared me for my new responsibilities, and made my transition into this office much easier. At the same time, they have worked tirelessly to ensure that today’s constituent session is on time and well prepared. Thank you very much for that! However, I would like to express my gratitude specifically to all departments of the administration—to those who are in direct contact with our citizens on a daily basis, as well as to those who organize and ensure that processes run smoothly behind the scenes. You all play a part in keeping our city running.

Especially given the tight budget situation and the multitude of challenges, the administration’s work is not getting any easier—quite the contrary. There, too, demands are rising; there, too, priorities must be set and additional tasks must be managed. This makes it all the more important that we, as the City Council, not only expect this work but also value and support it. I would therefore like to appeal to all of us: Let us cultivate a respectful, constructive, and reliable relationship with our city’s employees. Criticism is part of political work—but it should always be objective, fair, and solution-oriented. We also bear responsibility in this area: for the work environment, for motivation, and ultimately for the effectiveness of our administration. When politics and administration work together in a spirit of trust, when we take each other seriously and work together on solutions, we lay the foundation for successfully tackling the tasks ahead of us.

Let me conclude by broadening our perspective once more and adding a thought that transcends all the specific tasks we’ve discussed today. We bear responsibility not only for projects, budget figures, or urban development. We also bear responsibility for how we live together in our city—for the tone we set and the values we uphold. Especially at a time when discussions are often more heated, when differences are emphasized more than common ground is sought, we have a special role to play. We must not only uphold our fundamental democratic values but also actively protect them. Respect, fairness, and a willingness to engage in dialogue cannot be taken for granted—they must be lived out anew every day. I would therefore like to state very clearly: there is no place for hate and incitement in our city. I will resolutely oppose them—and I expect the same from the members of this City Council. Differing opinions are part of democracy. But how we treat one another is a matter of attitude. We have all just emerged from a hard-fought election campaign. Arguments were exchanged, positions were sharpened, and differences were made clear. That’s all part of the process. But it’s just as important to come together again afterward. Because now we share a collective responsibility—not for individual groups, but for the entire citizenry.

Many issues in recent times have polarized us, intensified debates, and at times even created divisions. This makes it all the more important now to build bridges. To listen, weigh our options, talk to one another—and ultimately make decisions that serve the common good. If we succeed in putting this attitude into practice, then we can not only move projects forward but also help strengthen our city as a community. I look forward to walking this path together with you—with sincerity, respect, and a firm commitment to uniting and further developing our city. Because Erlangen is open by tradition."

Video from May 13 featuring Mayor Jörg Volleth: