German island seeks new mayor through newspaper ad

The German island of Wangerooge, located in the North Sea, has launched a search for a new mayor by placing an advertisement in a local newspaper.

In an effort to address a growing shortage of qualified personnel in the island’s administrative sector, the island's local government is hoping to find a suitable candidate through this unique approach, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The ad, a joint initiative by the Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, and the Green Party, outlines specific requirements for prospective candidates. These include a commitment to live on the island, a higher education qualification, prior administrative experience, and being within the legal age range of 23 to 67 years old. The advertisement encourages potential candidates by stating, "With us, you can shape the future in a responsible position."

The island's current mayor, Marcel Fangor, was also discovered through a similar newspaper advertisement seven years ago. This time, however, local authorities are hoping that the advertisement will successfully attract a capable candidate to take on the role. The move comes as Wangerooge, like many small communities, faces difficulties in finding qualified professionals to fill key administrative roles.

Interestingly, Wangerooge recently gained national attention when an advertisement for a lighthouse keeper position went viral on the internet, further highlighting the island’s unique charm and need for staff.

The election for the new mayor is scheduled for August 17, with the application deadline set for June 14. It remains to be seen whether the strategy of advertising in the newspaper will prove effective in attracting the right candidate for the role.

By Vafa Guliyeva