Kalouti's win was confirmed as more than half of the voting districts reported results, and the CDU's celebration turned into a jubilant declaration of victory.

This political shift is part of a broader realignment in North Rhine-Westphalia, where the CDU secured victories in major cities like Düsseldorf, Essen, Bielefeld, Bonn, and Aachen, while the SPD maintained control in some cities like Duisburg and Gelsenkirchen.

In a historic political shift, Dortmund ended nearly 80 years of SPD dominance by electing CDU candidate Alexander Omar Kalouti as mayor in a runoff vote on September 28, 2025, with 52.92% of the votes.

Kalouti, who previously belonged to the FDP and has a background in theater and economic policy, campaigned on transforming Dortmund into a hub for innovation, culture, and economic cohesion.

His victory marks a significant change in Dortmund's political landscape, ending a 79-year streak of SPD mayors and reflecting a broader decline in SPD influence across the Ruhr area.

The election was highly competitive, with incumbent SPD mayor Thomas Westphal, in office since 2020, receiving 47.08% of the vote, and the voter turnout was 36.11%.

Dortmund's new mayor aims to make the city a model for innovation and cohesion, with a background in culture and politics, and has plans to revitalize the city through economic and cultural initiatives.

The election was influenced by regional issues, including concerns about migration from Southeastern Europe, and the campaign was affected by Westphal's controversial comments about a third candidate, Martin Cremer.

Kalouti's background includes work in London, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Bavaria, and he has a history of cultural management and economic policy, positioning him as a candidate focused on innovation and social integration.

Despite the loss, the SPD remains the strongest faction in Dortmund's city council, but the CDU has become the second-largest group, complicating future cooperation, especially with the Greens.

Overall, Dortmund's mayoral election symbolizes a significant political realignment in the Ruhr area, with traditional SPD strongholds weakening and CDU gaining ground.

The election results reflect a broader decline in SPD dominance across North Rhine-Westphalia, signaling a shift in the political landscape of the region.