Governance in Gelsenkirchen: Structural Adjustments and Political Debates in February 2026

Governance and Administration: Structural Adjustments and Personnel Appointments

In February 2026, the city of Gelsenkirchen set important course corrections in its administrative structure. The GELSENDIENSTE Operational Committee, a quasi-independent organization with 1,200 employees, elected new officials and appointed expert citizens. Patricia Duda was unanimously appointed as Secretary, and Tobias Heyne as Deputy Secretary. Dirk Galinski (The Left), Peter Reichmann (AUF), and Sebastian Fabian (The Party) were appointed as expert citizens.

Another focal point was the role of GELSENDIENSTE within the municipal administration. Simon Nowack, as Operations Director, and Philipp Pommerenke, as Interim Manager, lead the organization responsible for street cleaning, winter services, cemetery maintenance, and event management. The organizational chart was updated, with new department heads and functions clearly defined.

Financial Management and Budget Decisions

The financial situation of GELSENDIENSTE was reflected in a deficit of 1.477 million euros at the end of Q2 2025, despite an originally planned surplus. Liquidity is ensured through the city's cash pooling system, and shortfalls are balanced in the annual financial statement.

In the district of Gelsenkirchen-West, a construction cost subsidy of 40,000 euros was approved for the Reiterverein Gelsenkirchen e.V. (Gelsenkirchen Riding Club). Additionally, it was decided to replace smoke protection doors at the Lanferbach Primary School, costing 50,000 euros, in order to enhance safety and preserve the building's condition. These measures were taken within the framework of provisional budget management.

Political Debates and Democratic Disputes

The district council of Gelsenkirchen-West was marked by political disputes in February. The AfD district faction submitted a motion addressing the district mayor, Joachim Gill, regarding his public criticism of AfD members' observation of elections. Gill had publicly commented on the issue in an interview, which the AfD perceived as a critique of democratic structures.

The district council also introduced Konstantin Noll as City Manager for Gelsenkirchen-Horst, signaling a new focus on the district's development.

Integration and Equal Opportunities

In the Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration, topics such as language support, integration, and migration were in the spotlight. The SPD faction submitted urgent motions on the demand for language support in early childhood education and the implementation of the integration concept. Particular attention was given to the discussion around the impact of the BAMF suspension of course approvals on integration classes at the VHS Gelsenkirchen.

In summary, February 2026 in Gelsenkirchen presented a dynamic picture of governance: structural adjustments, financial decisions, and political debates shaped the work of the administration and district councils. The city is navigating the tension between administrative efficiency, democratic participation, and social integration—an ongoing process that is expected to gain momentum in 2026.