Our election program

for the local elections in Schwelm on september 14th

Foreword/Preface

On September 14, 2025, a new city council and a new mayor will be elected. We, Die Linke, do not want to continue with business as usual. We are running with a team made up of both young and experienced members. Among us, no one is clinging to their position.

Everyone wants to govern – we want to make a difference. We advocate for more transparency in politics and citizen participation instead of backroom deals. We want to reclaim our city!/We want to take our city back. We stand for the firm rejection of the AfD. We do not want a neo-fascist party entering the city council and poisoning the atmosphere in Schwelm. We will not tolerate right-wing hate speech!

We were the ones who predicted and consistently criticized the cost explosion associated with the construction of the new town hall. We are fighting against the city's debt and want debt relief programs. Our beautiful Schwelm should not be buried under space-consuming commercial areas on green fields. We reject this!

We stand for affordable rents, an expansion of social housing, and the urgent renovation of schools. It is ultimately us who are committed to radical projects that are essential for environmental, nature, and climate protection. We want Schwelm to be a livable place, not one that people have to leave. Forward-looking urban planning is essential to achieve this.

In this electoral program, you will find our demands for a humane, social Schwelm built on community, not exclusion! Citizens, go vote. Help us ensure transparent politics and prevent right-wing parties from gaining the majority.

Vote Left – where the heart beats
Jürgen Senge, spokesperson for the local association

Election program

Accessibility

Living without barriers

Full participation in all aspects of life: enabling independent living for all people
Complete accessibility throughout the city, including during the planned renovation of the pedestrian zone
Accessibility of all digital services provided by the city administration

Aging with dignity

Living well in old age

Creation of senior-friendly housing
In order to improve the situation in senior care facilities, particular attention should be paid to independent home supervision with clear quality standards.
Promotion of senior taxi services

Animal Welfare

Respect through responsibility

Promoting awareness for respectful coexistence with all animals
Considering species protection in construction projects (e.g. nesting sites)
Comprehensive measures for insect protection
More organic, ethically sourced, and fair-trade animal products in local food retail
Support for vegan and vegetarian options in retail and gastronomy

Children and Youth

Space for young ideas

Expansion of youth work
Qualified staff for improved support in child and youth facilities
More spaces for sports and recreational activities for young people
Promotion of additional programs at the youth center for teenagers over the age of 14
Provision of free rehearsal rooms for young musicians (for example, in the former brewery as a socio-cultural center)

Culture

Diversity connects

Support for cultural activities in our city and the creation of new, alternative cultural offerings
Support for the activities of the “13 Nachbarschaften” and the “Heimatfest”
Support for the brewery association in establishing a cultural meeting place
Active inclusion of people with migration backgrounds in the cultural and social life of the city
Access and participation in cultural events for all marginalized groups
Strengthening the visibility of queer life in public spaces
Expansion of queer education and cultural work in cooperation with schools, libraries, and civil society
Reduction of stall fees for public events (e.g. evening markets, flea markets)

Digitalization

Better, faster, more social

Consistent digitalization of application procedures for citizens to improve communication and efficiency
Full and rapid digitalization of city administration
Expansion of free public Wi-Fi hotspots at central locations
Equipping the public library and youth center with digital devices available for loan

Education and school policy

More support and inclusion

Expansion of all-day childcare and school programs for all children
Strengthening social-pedagogical and school psychological support
Inclusion at all schools in Schwelm
Creation of a comprehensive school with individual support instead of selection
Promoting digitalization in schools in a way that is socially inclusive and equitable
Expansion of out-of-school learning spaces
Implementing educational programs to confront neo-fascism – especially in schools, youth centers, and family outreach services.

Environmental and Nature Protection

Our city, our responsibility

Comprehensive protection of our city’s green oases in the north and south
Renaturation of flowing and still water bodies
Support for biotopes within the city
Promotion of renewable energy generation and storage
Consistent urban development and construction planning based on ecological and environmentally sustainable principles
Smart and socially responsible strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change
Use of existing construction areas instead of designating new development zones
Expansion of staff and competencies for climate management in urban planning and development
Reintroduction of a tree protection ordinance and promotion of planting on private property
Installation of more waste bins throughout the city
Socially responsible options for private bulky waste disposal and collection
Introducing fixed yellow bins and recyclables containers instead of disposable plastic bags
Introduction of a single-use packaging tax to reduce littering in our city
Elimination of municipal leaf vacuums and blowers
Incentives for dismantling gravel and stone gardens

Healthcare

Health is not a commodity

No profits at the expense of our health
Re-municipalization of the Helios Clinic
Demand for more licensed statutory health insurance physician positions in Schwelm
Establishment of municipal day and night care facilities
Creation of a neighborhood management system, including central contact points for social counseling in all areas

Housing and Social Affairs

Affordable, humane, together

Creation of modern, affordable housing
Protecting and expanding public and social housing in Schwelm
Prioritized use of available municipal land in the city center for social housing
Support for the construction of integrative multi-generational housing and intergenerational living
Support for community-run cooperative initiatives
Support for single parents
Consistent rejection of inhumane restrictions on refugees and people receiving social benefits (e.g. through prepaid debit cards)
Establishment of a municipal anti-discrimination office with independent counseling services
Intercultural opening of city administration through training programs
Creation of queer-friendly spaces
Support for projects focused on women and girls

Mobility

Strengthening public transport

More electric mobility in public transportation
Introduction of an eco-friendly, high-frequency shuttle bus line connecting key stops
Construction of traffic lights with bus priority to improve travel times
Restoration of the original S-Bahn service schedule toward Düsseldorf and Hagen, and a 15-minute interval for bus line 608
Construction of an “Schwelm-Ost” S-Bahn station with a pedestrian crossing from Brunnen to Oberloh and Linderhausen

Municipal Finances

Money where it benefits us all!

Debt relief for the city of Schwelm
Adherence to budget limits in construction projects
No costly and unnecessary management consultancies for city administration
Increased financial support for Schwelm’s community organizations and associations
Introduction of a differentiated fee schedule for stand and liquor licenses for non-profit associations

Safety

Prevention through education

Confronting domestic violence, sexual violence, and femicide through targeted awareness and prevention
Support for women’s shelters and protection facilities
Awareness campaigns on traditional ideals of masculinity and their negative impact on public safety
Improved lighting in dark areas throughout the city (e.g. parks and green spaces), using motion sensors

Sports and Leisure

Accessible for all

Financial relief programs for low-income families
Preservation and expansion of municipal cultural, leisure, and sports facilities
Renovation of the indoor swimming pool instead of new construction at the outdoor pool site
New construction of the outdoor pool at its current location
Installation of public sports equipment
Strengthening sports and leisure clubs and associations as part of our local community
More benches along hiking and walking paths within the city area

Strengthening local democracy

Politics is about action, not power

More transparency in city hall
Convening meetings for citizens on important local community issues
Introduction of participatory budgeting

Urban Planning and Development

Preserving What’s Good, Designing Ecologically

No new large-scale commercial or industrial zones
Strengthening local infrastructure by supporting and attracting small retailers
Creating shaded areas in the city to counteract urban heat islands caused by climate change
Mandatory installation of solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems in new and renovated buildings, with appropriate city funding and subsidies
Installation of more public water dispensers across the city
Development of bicycle paths and parking facilities
Consistent inclusion of bicycle infrastructure in all road construction projects
Completing the cycle path connection between Gevelsberg and the Wuppertal Nordbahntrasse
Truck traffic ban (except for local access) on Winterberger Straße, Kölner Straße, and Obermauerstraße
Expanded use of speed bumps ("Berlin cushions") to calm traffic
Financial relief and reduced bureaucracy where appropriate and feasible
Funding programs for small businesses
Establishment of shops in Linderhausen, Oberloh, and Winterberg to cover everyday needs

Work and economy

Local and social

No privatization of public services
No shifting of existing, regular jobs into unpaid volunteer work
Support for integrative and inclusive workplaces
Financial relief and reduction of bureaucracy where sensible and feasible
Funding programs for small businesses
Establishment of shops in Linderhausen, Oberloh and Winterberg to meet everyday needs