These are the most important top candidates of the parties for the state elections on May 8th in Schleswig-Holstein:
Daniel Günther (CDU) – Long-distance runner with official bonus
The Prime Minister is the guarantee of success for his party. She relies entirely on him in the election campaign. Günther (48) is more popular than any other head of government in Germany. He has held the coalition of CDU, Greens and FDP together since 2017 and has proven himself as a conflict manager. After his election in 2017, he quickly established himself in the ranks of the CDU prime ministers. His stamina helps him as a long-distance runner and as a politician. Günther was CDU state manager (2005 to 2012), came to the state parliament in 2009, became parliamentary group leader in 2014 and state chairman at the end of 2016. Born in Kiel, he lives with his wife Anke and two daughters in Eckernförde.
Thomas Losse-Müller (SPD) – Ex-Green with notoriety deficit
The 49-year-old brings government experience with him from the previous government of the SPD, Greens and SSW (2012-2017). As head of the State Chancellery and previously Secretary of State for Finance, the father of two daughters was still a member of the Greens. He only became a social democrat in 2020. The hobby bird watcher is still unknown to many in the country. In the election campaign, he focused on issues such as social housing, free daycare and adherence to collective agreements. Before moving into politics, the economist worked for Deutsche Bank and the World Bank, after the change of government he worked as a management consultant in Jamaica. Also because of this break from politics, his appointment as the top candidate came as a surprise.
Monika Heinold (GREEN) – Financial expert with a social streak
She has been Minister of Finance since 2012 – first in a coalition with the SPD and SSW, now in the Jamaica alliance with Prime Minister Daniel Günther from the CDU and the FDP. Despite all expenditure discipline, the trained educator (63) has the social aspect in mind. “Climate protection, education policy and tax policy are a question of intergenerational justice,” she writes on her website. Heinold is considered an experienced financial expert who pursues her goals with patient assertiveness. She is leading the North Greens in the election together with the Vice President of the State Parliament, Aminata Touré. Her big goal: Heinold wants to be the first green prime minister.
Bernd Buchholz (FDP) – Ex-manager in constant use for the economy
The 60-year-old is a manager through and through. Before returning to state politics – from 1992 to 1996 he was a member of the state parliament – he was CEO of the Gruner + Jahr media company. Even as Economics Minister in the Jamaica coalition, he remained a manager. The doctor of law wants to get things moving and makes no secret of the fact that many things in politics and bureaucracy take too long for him. One focus is transport policy with the construction and repair of roads and the improvement of rail services. During the corona pandemic, Buchholz vehemently supported tourism – with successful model regions in spring 2021.
Lars Harms (SSW) – Committed fighter for the minorities
The father of six children has been a member of parliament for the party of the Danish and Frisian minority, which has been exempted from the five percent hurdle, for 22 years. The 57-year-old is a friend of clear words, passionately fights for his positions and can negotiate hard. In 2012 he was instrumental in forging a coalition with the SPD and the Greens. But he would probably not refuse a CDU-led alliance either. Recently, he has increasingly focused on social issues. Life must remain affordable for everyone, he emphasizes in view of the record prices for energy and food. The energy transition that he supports must also be shaped socially.
Jörg Nobis (AfD) – Constant figure in troubled party
For the second time after 2017, Nobis is the AfD top candidate in Schleswig-Holstein. He is thus a constant within the long-fighting state association, which still has no chairman. Nobis is one of those in the party who regretted the resignation of former federal chairman Jörg Meuthen. Observers see the 46-year-old in the moderate spectrum of the party. In the state parliament, he usually appears serious, calm to sharp in tone, clear on the matter. Nobis is harsh on the state government’s corona and refugee policy. Before his election to the state parliament, the father of two children worked as a nautical expert.