Munich elects first Green mayor in historic Social Democrat defeat

The southern German city of Munich will have a Green mayor for the first time in its history.

The party's candidate Dominik Krause, 35, on Sunday defeated long-time Social Democratic (SPD) incumbent Dieter Reiter, 67, with 56.4% to 43.6% vote, provisional results showed.

The mayoral election in the Bavarian capital provided a double whammy for the SPD, which also lost the state election in Rhineland-Palatinate on Sunday.

Munich, home to some of Germany's biggest and most successful companies such as BMW, Siemens and Allianz, has been dominated by the SPD, which has been in power almost unbroken since 1948 apart from a six-year span between 1978 and 1984.

Losing incumbent quits politics

Even as the run-off votes were still being counted, Reiter said that Sunday was the last day of his political career.

"That's it for me," said the mayor, who has led the city since 2014.

Reiter had recently faced criticism over the way he handled roles at the Bayern Munich football club and the payments he received.

"I messed it up," the outgoing mayor said. The election result was his fault, he stressed. "It was an honour to be allowed to be mayor in this city."

At the Greens' election party, cheers broke out after the initial results were repoted.

"Thank you, Munich, for this great trust. I feel very honoured," Krause said.

The Green candidate focused far more on issues such as tackling the housing shortage and high rents and campaigned for fresh momentum in Munich city hall.

Bayern Munich controversy

Reiter was considered the overwhelming favourite to retain his position until it emerged that he had been receiving money from Bayern Munich for a position on its administrative advisory board without necessary approval from the city council.

The mayor came under heavy criticism, above all for the way he handled the matter. After intense public pressure, he admitted mistakes and stepped down from the post and also from the supervisory board - a job he had only just taken up.

In the first round on March 8, Reiter led with 35.6% ahead of Krause on 29.5%, with postal voting having begun before the scandal broke out.