In Frankfurt (Oder), Axel Strasser, an independent candidate with no prior political involvement, won the mayoral runoff with 69.8%, defeating AfD candidate Wilko Möller and preventing the first AfD mayor in Germany.

Strasser's victory was significant because Möller, representing the far-right AfD, would have been the first AfD politician to become a mayor in Germany.

The election in Frankfurt (Oder), a city of about 57,000 residents facing challenges like border controls with Poland, immigration, and economic issues, saw a turnout of 49.4%, with nearly 12,000 postal votes cast.

Frankfurt (Oder), the fourth-largest city in Brandenburg, faces ongoing issues related to border controls, immigration, and economic development, which were central to the election.

In the first round of the election held in September, Strasser led with 32.4%, ahead of Möller with 30.2%, and CDU candidate Désirée Schrade narrowly missed the runoff with 28.8%, after the previous mayor resigned.

Strasser, originally from Berlin and working for the Ostbrandenburg Chamber of Commerce, emphasized unity and focusing on urgent city challenges, planning to start his term around October 21, 2025.

He succeeded René Wilke, a non-party politician who stepped down to become Brandenburg's interior minister, and campaigned under the slogan 'Together for Frankfurt (Oder).'

Following his election, Strasser plans to focus on economic strengthening and restructuring, including expanding cooperation with Poland to address Frankfurt (Oder)’s economic challenges.

The election saw a voter turnout of 49.4%, with 46,234 eligible voters participating across 55 polling stations and 12 postal voting locations.

The AfD, represented by Möller, is classified as a far-right extremist group by the Brandenburg Verfassungsschutz, although this classification is currently under legal review.