The Lord Mayor

Horst Schiereck is the Lord Mayor of Herne. He was elected for a five-year term in 2004. His office is in the town hall in Herne-Mitte.

With effect from the next legislative period (2009) the lord mayor in North Rhine Westphalia will be voted into office by the electorate for six years within the framework of local elections. The responsibilities of the First Citizen of the town or city are defined in the relevant local government act.
The lord mayor represents the city on many official occasions. He is a member and chairman of the city council and chief of administration. He also holds seats and voting rights in other local and regional bodies.

Horst Schiereck was born on July 12, 1949. He is married and has two children (born 1994 and 1996).

From 1975 to 1979 he was leader of the Eickel SPD (Social Democratic Party) local group, and from 1979 to 1984 he was the councillor representing the Eickel ward. He was elected to Herne city council in 1984 and until 1989 chaired the environment committee. From 1989 to 1994 he was deputy chairman of the city council and spokesman of the planning committee. From 1994 to 2004 he served as leader of the SPD faction in the city council.

On October 10, 2004 Horst Schiereck was elected lord mayor of the city of Herne after a mayoral runoff with 63.2 per cent of the vote.

Questions, suggestions, and criticism to oberbuergermeister@herne.de.