In the runoff election, Green candidate Dominik Krause defeated SPD Mayor Dieter Reiter and will become Munich's first Green mayor. After 12 years in office, Reiter conceded defeat. This marks a historic loss for the SPD.
The runoff election for Munich's mayor took place on March 22, 2026. According to preliminary results, Dominik Krause (Greens) received 56.4 percent of the votes, while Dieter Reiter (SPD) got 43.6 percent. The 35-year-old Krause will thus become the city's first Green mayor, ending an era of Social Democratic dominance since 1948, except from 1978 to 1984 when Erich Kiesl (CSU) held the office. Reiter, 67, had served for 12 years and conceded: 'I messed it up, it's my fault.' He called it 'the last day of my political career' and thanked Munich residents 'for twelve great years' as well as Krause 'heartily' for his work in the city. Krause celebrated the victory at his election party, saying: 'It's really crazy' and 'It's insane!' He first thanked his rival Reiter for 'a fair and factual campaign' and mentioned his fiancé 'Sebi, the love of my life.' In the first round on March 8, Reiter had 35.6 percent, Krause 29.5 percent. Reiter's defeat was linked to criticism over his paid positions at FC Bayern Munich, which he held without city council approval and for which he received around 90,000 euros. He resigned the posts and donated the money.
