Sylt Mayor Election Heads to Runoff After No Candidate Secures Majority

Tina Haltermann and Markus Gieppner will face off on April 6 following an inconclusive first round marked by low voter turnout.

None of the six candidates in Sylt's mayoral election secured the required majority, prompting a runoff between the top two contenders.
Tina Haltermann, an independent supported by the CDU, led the first round with 38.4% of the vote, followed by Markus Gieppner, representing 'Die Insulaner,' with 23.5%.
The election follows months of political turmoil on the island, including the controversial removal and subsequent death of former mayor Nikolas Häckel in 2024.
Key issues influencing the election include affordable housing, illegal vacation rentals, and the island's ongoing financial challenges.
The new mayor's earliest possible start date is May 1, with the position carrying a six-year term.