Manuela Rottmann, Green candidate for the mayor election in Frankfurt, in an interview about the climate-neutral city, the Riederwald tunnel and the station district.

Frankfurt – Death Mayor candidate of the Frankfurt Greens, Manuela Rottmann, speaks in an interview about the climate-neutral city, the unavoidable Riederwald tunnel and the conditions in the station district. When the Rundschau calls Manuela Rottmann, she has just returned from the plenary hall.

A roll-call vote was pending in the Bundestag, and all MPs were needed. The 50-year-old lawyer, who was Head of the Environment and Health Department from 2006 to 2012 Frankfurt was, seated for dying since 2017 greens in the Bundestag. On March 5th she will be to be elected mayor.

Ms. Rottmann, have you been dealing with German immigration law or local politics in Frankfurt in the past few days?

With both. But there is probably some overlap on this topic. Many people have lived in Frankfurt for centuries and simply could not get a German passport until now. We’re changing that now. And there are a few more examples that show how important the federal legislature is for local politics in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt: Green mayor candidate Rottmann will reduce energy consumption

Do you have the time to be a member of the Bundestag and a candidate for mayor in Frankfurt at the same time?

At the moment I work in government and as a member of parliament at the same time. And I’m not the first MP to campaign in a city. It’s possible – if you want it and set the appropriate priorities. That’s why I gave up my job as Secretary of State. I will concentrate fully on Frankfurt.

When you introduced yourself, you said that Frankfurt would have to become climate-neutral by 2035 and spoke of a major challenge. What does the city have to change in concrete terms in order to achieve this goal?

On the one hand, our energy consumption must fall drastically. The switch to bicycles and public transport must therefore be pushed even more consistently than before. And of course we have to expand renewable energies. This can only be done together with the region, which is why we must return to a dialogue based on partnership with the surrounding area.

OB election Frankfurt: candidate Rottmann from the Greens expects from 2035 without gas and oil

In business there are concerns that Frankfurt can no longer be an industrial location if the Greens prevail …

My goal is for Frankfurt to stay as an industrial location. I also believe that the industry has made more progress than some politicians believe. In Industriepark Höchst, for example, the use of hydrogen was already being promoted when many considered it superfluous. One thing is clear: the industry needs a fossil-free perspective. This applies not only in Frankfurt, but worldwide. Ultimately, industrial companies will go where they can find renewable energy. I want that to be in Frankfurt.

Do you have new residential areas planned under the proviso that Frankfurt becomes climate-neutral?

Yes, there is no other way. We have to assume that by 2035 there will be no more oil or gas available. This means that new development areas must be planned to be de facto car-free and with a renewable heat supply.

Frankfurt: Green mayor candidate Rottmann for sustainable social housing

Under these conditions, is the construction of the planned district in the north-west of the city realistic?

Secure. However, the planning must provide answers as to how climate-neutral living can be achieved there. It is no longer enough to just meet the requirements of the building code. We have to go much further when it comes to climate protection.

You have repeatedly emphasized that climate protection and social policy should not be played off against each other. But isn’t that exactly what happens when you set the requirements for new development areas that high? How is affordable housing supposed to be created?

Sustainable construction is not more expensive than conventional methods, but cheaper. The high gas prices have shown that living in a passive house is affordable in the long run. That means it pays off to build sustainably. That is why social housing can and must also be created in new development areas with modern standards.

Mayor election Frankfurt: Greens against highway expansion

The Greens have just given a clear rejection of the expansion of motorways. What does that mean for the Riederwald tunnel?

I have always fought against the Riederwald tunnel, but the decision has been made. The task now is to implement the project as gently as possible.

You see no more chance to prevent the tunnel?

No, we have to abide by a right and law.

What do you say to the activists in the Fechenheim Forest who are fighting against the project?

It is completely understandable that they want to create critical public attention there. But it is wrong to endanger yourself or others in such occupations. The activists are urgently needed in future debates about other expansion projects. They can no longer prevent the Riederwald tunnel.

Frankfurt: Green mayor candidate Rottmann on drug policy

Your opponent, Uwe Becker from the CDU, will often talk about the station district in his election campaign. He says the conditions there are unacceptable. Is he right?

Public space must be usable by everyone without fear. It’s not autumn in the Bahnhofsviertel at the moment. However, there is no simple solution at the local level alone. We also rely on federal and state legislation, and we & need to talk to other major cities as well.

About what?

About help for drug addicts. In Bavaria, for example, they are permanently prevented politically. Addicted people also come to Frankfurt because they are not helped at home.

Mayor election Frankfurt: Green Rottmann sees “Zurich model” not possible in Germany

As head of the health department, you have further developed the Frankfurt way in drug policy. Recently, there have often been calls for reforms. Drug addicts should be made more accountable. Do you understand this approach?

The Frankfurt way always had two sides: help, but also repression. The dependents are also challenged. Of course you have to keep reacting to changes in the scene.

Most recently, the keyword “Zurich model” kept coming up. Individuals are addressed in a more targeted manner…

We need federal support for that. The “Zurich Model” makes it possible, for example, to relieve the public space of small trade. This is not yet possible in Germany. You can see that we need a strong representation of city interests at federal level.

Frankfurt: Green OB candidate Rottmann for modern city administration

Does this also apply to the immigration office? The office is completely overwhelmed, what needs to happen?

Irrespective of the concrete difficulties in the immigration office: Keeping the city administration modern and able to work is an ongoing task. This requires a mayor who is really interested in the working conditions in the administration. And before the crisis.

During your time in Frankfurt you worked together with Uwe Becker. At that time he was first head of the social affairs department and then treasurer. How is your relationship?

Colon. At that time we worked together in the interest of the city. We also use first names.

OB election Frankfurt: Grüner Rottmann stands for black-green

Since your candidacy became known, there has been a message from the political left corner: Manuela Rottmann stands for black-green, she will bring the Greens closer to the CDU again…

That’s a cliché that Peter Feldmann liked to use to deny the independence of the Greens. I am currently working in a coalition with the SPD, Greens and FDP. Tell me, there are significant differences between my politics and the CDU, and you will also see the dying in the election campaign.

Do you hope to get the votes from the SPD camp in a runoff against Becker?

A mayoral election is not a vote on party politics. It’s about which person makes the best offer. I want to be.

(The interview is conducted by Georg Leppert)