Torsten von Haaren can now look back on more than a decade of experience as a member of the city council.

Born in 1964, the family man joined the SPD back in 1991. Von Haaren was also a lay assessor at the district court in Bremerhaven for several years.

In his first speech as head of the city council, von Haaren appealed to all city councillors to work together and respectfully across party lines.

In addition to chairing the meeting, the head of the city council is responsible for drawing up and publishing the agenda, ensuring that the meeting is conducted in accordance with the rules of procedure and exercising domiciliary rights.

The chairperson of the municipal council acts in a neutral manner. If he participates in the political debate, he must relinquish the chairmanship of the meeting for this period.

Furthermore, the Chairman of the City Council von Haaren assumes many representational duties. He represents the town on a variety of occasions, for example at receptions and official visits by domestic and international guests. He is also responsible for maintaining relations with the twin towns.

He is also Chairman of the Committee for Constitution, Rules of Procedure, Petition Matters and Citizen Participation as well as the Petitions Committee.