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“Good day, Mr. König, and thank you very much for taking the time today for this interview with Die Schlagzeile.”
“Hello, it’s great to have you here, and welcome. My office is always open, and I’m always happy when someone wants to
learn more. You are always welcome.”
“How long have you been the mayor?”
“The municipal and mayoral elections, which always take place together, were in March 2020. My term began on May 1,
so I have been the mayor since May 1, 2020.”
“What did you do before, and what led you to want to become mayor?”
“I’ve been interested in politics since I was a teenager. I looked into all the youth organizations—what programs they offered,
what they did for young people—and also the parties, like the Greens, CDU, CSU, SPD, etc. I scrutinized them all.
That was back when I was in 7th grade.”
“I ended up sticking with the Union and became a member. I was particularly interested in school politics and was very
active in the student union, where I did a lot for students. My journey then continued with the Young Union, and later,
at 18, I joined the CSU. It’s a bit like working in an association—you handle administrative tasks, help with election
campaigns, and so on.”
“This led to my interest in local politics. At 20, I ran for city council for the first time and was always enthusiastic.
As a very young candidate, I started low on the list in 2002, and it didn’t work out that time. However, I stuck with it,
and in 2008, I was elected. At 27, I was one of the younger council members.”
“I took on many responsibilities within the council and became the spokesperson for youth, social, financial,
and transportation policy. In 2017, I became the faction leader. Thanks to my strong commitment, I earned the trust
of my party, and they put me forward as their candidate for mayor. That’s how Markus König became the new mayor.”
“You do a great deal for the city; there are many events and efforts for the well-being
of the city’s residents. I can imagine that your schedule must be very full?”
“Yes, of course. As mayor, you handle both. You have various responsibilities: representing the city as its highest official,
overseeing its administration, and being the supervisor of the city administration—which, in Nuremberg, has 12,000
employees. Many tasks are managed through the department heads and deputy mayors, who have their own areas
of responsibility, but ultimately, things are discussed and tackled collectively. The challenges are significant.
During my term, we faced COVID-19, an incredible situation that was difficult for us to handle.
Many unforeseen things arose, and no one could predict what would happen—what a pandemic would mean and how
it would affect us.”
“There are also many wars and conflict zones around the world that impact Nuremberg.
Look at Ukraine, what’s happening in Israel, or the disputes in other countries—these situations affect us all.
We also have challenges specific to Nuremberg that we need to address. For instance, the topic of the city center
concerns us: shopping behaviors are changing, and so on.”
“These are all issues the mayor can address. The role isn’t just about reacting but also about being proactive
and setting impulses. My schedule is quite full, but ultimately, it’s about holding the city together, bringing in ideas,
and driving the city forward. Democracy involves including many voices—not just listening to the loudest but also giving
attention to the quieter ones. It’s about maintaining balance. And yes, this is my city. I grew up here, and I was born here.
It’s a great honor for me to serve as mayor.”
“I strive to bring this very diverse society together, to integrate people and move things forward so that Nuremberg
becomes a place of the future.”
“You can tell that you’re very approachable and a true son of this city.”
“Exactly, because you know the entire city inside and out. You understand how things work and at what pace, which is invaluable.”
“That’s true; you can never please everyone—that’s just how it is. Everyone has different interests, often even individual
or special interests. I am here for the common good, which means I have to consider everyone.”
“We are not only responsible for basic services but also for ensuring people’s well-being. I believe you can feel democracy
most directly at the municipal level: turn on the light, and we are responsible for the electricity. Turn on the tap,
and we are responsible for the water. We must ensure that buses and trams are available locally, that public transport runs
smoothly from point A to point B, and that individual traffic needs are addressed.”
“There are other things, such as ensuring access to local supplies, so that people not only feel provided for in basic needs
but also experience a sense of well-being. People should recognize: ‘Yes, we truly have it good here; we enjoy living in this city.’
Many people love their city, and we are all responsible for that.”
“That’s right, and you really get the sense that the people of Nuremberg take responsibility for their city.”
“What I can tell you, from the people and what I observe, is: ‘And I always think to myself, I believe everyone here really
enjoys living in Nuremberg.”
“Sometimes, you also need to go elsewhere and see how things are running there.”
“Of course, we also have our challenges. For example, when I see how people treat public property,
it bothers me when trash is left behind. And the city is immediately held responsible—’The city must act now.'”
“People should more often take a look at themselves and realize that we are all responsible for keeping the city clean.
We should also be a bit more tolerant, take care of other road users, and pedestrians should also show
consideration for cyclists.”
“In a city with nearly 550,000 residents, consideration is crucial. If everyone only looks out for themselves,
only sees their own issues, and insists on them, it becomes difficult.”
“Sometimes, you need to shift your perspective—how does the other person think, how do they feel?!
That’s what I advocate for, because that matters too. It’s about engaging with the other person,
and when that happens, things can succeed.”
“I see it the same way, and I believe most people out there feel the same.”
“What’s a day in your life like?”
“It starts very early. I get up at 6 a.m., I’m a runner, and in the morning, I jog for 30 to 45 minutes as a way to
balance things out.”
“The first appointments start early, between 8:10 and 8:30 a.m. It usually goes on until the evening.”
“I get home around 10:00 to 10:30 p.m. Most of the time, I discuss the day with my wife.”
“Then it’s off to bed, and the next day, it starts again.”
“And of course, Saturday and Sunday are normal workdays for me. There are many events, people want to see
the mayor, discuss various topics, and have a mayor who is approachable. So, my workweek doesn’t end on Friday;
it continues through the weekend.”
“I reserve one day a week for family, which I choose myself, and of course, it has to work for the family.”
“That’s essential; I’m a family person too.”
“That’s nice, and it has to be that way. Being alone for too long is not good.”
“When you have visitors from other countries, like Ukraine for a friendly match or Japan, how extensive
are the preparations? How many people are involved, and how long does it take to have everything ready and organized?
How long does it take until everything is in place and you can say, when the door opens and the visitors step in,
everything is prepared and ready?”
“We all work together; it’s important.”
“The town hall has a role, the DFB, the stadium itself, and also the club.”
“There are many games hosted by the club, and many people work behind the scenes to ensure everything
runs smoothly. It’s not just a matter of a few weeks; for large events like the Church Convention in 2023,
we spent 6 or 7 years preparing for it.”
“There are different stages: at the beginning, we deal with the easier issues, and then it gets more difficult and specific.”
“Hundreds of people are involved in making sure a large event in Nuremberg goes smoothly.”
“The size of the event is crucial. For the Church Convention, we prepared for 5-6 years, with the last two years being very,
very intense.”
“For big games at the stadium, like the friendly match between Ukraine and the DFB, the DFB helps a lot,
and many people working at the stadium are involved. The DFB and those working at the town hall always
collaborate and work hand in hand.”
“People outside have no concept of that.”
“Yes, that’s clear. There’s the consumer who comes to the stadium for the game, or people attending
an event at the town hall. It’s great that there’s interest and that people from all over the world come,
but it’s clear that everything is prepared in detail in advance.”
“It’s often also very protocol-driven. We have a protocol department, where it’s decided who will be greeted first,
and who will be in the spotlight at what time. It’s all carefully planned, a bit like a television show.”
“Everything is also planned, like when someone will go on stage, when the lights will be turned on, and so on.
That’s how we plan our events too. Yes, you can really see it that way, definitely.”
“Which of the events do you enjoy the most, or what type of events would you say are the ones you really like?”
“I’m particularly looking forward to this, and it’s a bit of my passion, you could say.”
“I enjoy all events where people are involved, where we encounter different topics.”
“That’s the beauty of the office of mayor—there are various topics, not just one, but all kinds of issues.
It’s like life, there are both enjoyable and difficult topics, because there are different interests and opinions
that need to be allowed.”
“The discussion will show how things develop, and in the end, everything has to be ‘tied together’ to show a path
that everyone is willing to follow. There are 12 events in a day, and I approach each one as if it’s something unique.
For me, contact with people is important—I always try to keep an open ear, and in the end, I want to be able to explain
to people ‘how things work’ and why something might not be possible, but something else can be.”
“But being there, being open, and staying authentic—that’s key.”
“What touches you the most in your work, at the deepest level?”
“I believe it’s people who dedicate themselves to others. I’m also someone who enjoys helping others, and I think it’s
wonderful that we live in such a society.”
“Here, people don’t just focus on their own little world, but they look beyond their own borders to help others,
using their talents, money, knowledge, and time to support others.”
“I always find that very moving, and it touches my heart. I’m happy to support people who are willing to use their talents
and abilities for others. For me, it’s always a beautiful experience to meet such people.”
“I can understand that. It’s something really beautiful. Being selfless also brings happiness.”
“I envision a society where, even in difficult times, we support each other, help each other, and don’t always focus
on the ‘I,’ but on the ‘we. That’s what I try to live by. I’m not the mayor who thinks only of myself, but I’m here for the
people both in and outside the city. I’m a fan of the larger metropolitan region. It’s only possible together,
not against each other.”
“What are your medium-term and long-term goals?”
“In a city where society is constantly changing, globally connected, diverse, and includes different cultures,
my goal is for us to have a common denominator: we are all Nürnbergerinnen and Nürnberger. That’s my motto,
and that’s what I try to live by.”
“We need a society that addresses the big issues of our time: strengthening democracy, revitalizing a city that is
very old, making it more resilient in terms of climate, and considering sustainability as an important factor.
It’s not just the mayor who needs to think sustainably; everyone must act sustainably.”
“There is only one world in which we live, and we need to shape it well, just as we must shape our city.
We need to act sustainably in all aspects. We must remain economically strong because the economy is essential
for us to have the resources to invest in education and social infrastructure. If the economy doesn’t work anymore,
it becomes difficult because we won’t have any income. And if we have no income, we can’t spend money.”
“It’s all interconnected, and that’s something to always keep in mind. I’m a fan of the social market economy.
I believe we need to engage with both employees and employers on equal terms.”
“Due to my background, I am also a business-minded person, and I know that the economy is crucial—
everything starts with it. But also, first comes respect, and then comes value creation.”
“What do you wish for from the people here in Nuremberg?”
“I wish that people get involved, and that it’s not a one-way street. They need to contribute as well,
not just point fingers at others, and take responsibility. It shouldn’t be ‘they need to take care of it,
they make the mess…’ Rather, they should position themselves more sustainably and take a hard look at themselves.”
“Each person should contribute their part, whether through joining associations, volunteering,
or engaging in the community. We need a society where the ‘we’ comes before the ‘I.'”
“And that’s what Nuremberg is for me—being an inventive city, offering people the opportunity to start their own
businesses, supporting them positively. We have a university,
and in the coming years, we will see a new university grow. With the UTM, we’re bringing more students to Nuremberg.”
“We need to prepare for this time, with people who can work in universities but also be trained as skilled workers.
We are a city of craftsmen, and that’s important to us. We invest a lot in education to ensure a future where children
are well educated. These are all things where I say: ‘This is a city I want to live in, a city that’s fun, where you’d be happy
to raise a family and have children, where you’re close to nature and can find good work.'”
“That’s a bit of the whole ‘feel-good program.’ It all sounds nice, but it’s hard work. Not everything always goes as planned,
but we have goals, and we pursue them sustainably.”
“That’s good. It’s good for the people out there to know, especially those who have never seen you personally…”
“That happens. We have 550,000 residents, not everyone knows Marcus König, that’s just how it is.
Not everyone knows, what’s he like?! What kind of ideas does he have?! How does he think?
And I’m just an ordinary guy, like you said earlier – from this city, who grew up here and was born here.”
“Yes, it’s important for the people out there to know, so they feel secure and know that they can knock on the door
or write a letter if they have a question.”
“That’s very good, that’s very, very good.”
“When your day starts, you say you go for a run. What other hobbies do you have?”
“Well, I really enjoy cooking. It’s a hobby that also takes time, and I sometimes use that time to cook together
with my wife, especially when we have guests. We plan together what we want to cook, do teamwork,
and cooking is always very important to me. I want to spend that time together, so we go for runs,
bike rides, or enjoy hiking. There are really many areas here that we use; our leisure time is also important and diverse.”
“You once mentioned that you used to ride horses, or that you used to ride. Do you still do that?”
“Not regularly. As a teenager, I fell off a horse because I thought I could ride, just because I had sat on a pony twice
at the fair, but that wasn’t the case, I couldn’t ride. I realized that I couldn’t ride. But I wanted to learn, so I took riding
lessons and made it possible. Today, I would trust myself to get on a horse, and I believe I could still manage to ride a bit.”
“You should do that again sometime, it’s something beautiful.”
“Yes, absolutely, sometimes there’s just not enough time for it. But I love horses, I love animals.
I was also the voluntary managing director and chairman of the animal protection association for years.
Yes, I love animals, but riding has always fascinated me.”
“That’s a beautiful sport, I can confirm that myself.”
“Mr. König, do you have any good advice from your heart for the people out there?”
“Well, you know, I’m just really looking forward to the time that’s coming now, especially the Christmas season.
Right now, in Nürnberg, it’s a time we cherish. If you take a look at the Hauptmarkt, you can already see some
of the stalls going up, preparations are being made, and it’s a time to reflect and spend an extra Sunday
enjoying with family.
I’m really looking forward to it, and I wish everyone here in Nürnberg, and beyond, all the best. Christmas time
is a wonderful season, and I believe we have the best Christkindlesmarkt there is. It’s beautiful –
the children’s Christmas market, the partner cities’ stalls, and the Christkind as the ambassador of the Christmas season.
Let the time come, and I just wish everyone a lot of fun during it!”
“Yes, absolutely! The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt is truly world-renowned, and people come from all over the world
to experience it. It’s a tradition that brings so many together, and it’s a special time for both locals and visitors alike.
We’re so proud of it, and I’m always excited to see how it brings joy and warmth to everyone during the holiday season.”
“A beautiful and contemplative time for you and everyone who enjoys this moment.”
“Thank you very much, I wish you the same.” All the best!”
“So it is, and whoever comes should be welcome.”
“Thank you, and I wish you a wonderful time.”
“Thank you, I wish you the same!”
“Best regards, Susanne Panhans.”
“I write your advertising texts, publish PR articles, arrange photoshoots, videos, and everything that makes you visible.
You tell me what you want, and I turn your wishes into reality.” PR-SERVICE.
“All images, videos, and texts copyright by Susanne Panhans.”
