Helmut Knebel

Helmut Knebel (born September 24, 1947 in Salzgitter ) is an SPD politician and was Lord Mayor of the city of Salzgitter from 2001 to 2006.

Knebel studied mathematics, works and catholic studies at the Braunschweig University of Education from 1967 to 1970. Religion and was subsequently a teacher at various schools in Salzgitter, since 1994 also headmaster of a secondary school. In 1998 he was elected as a member of the Lower Saxony state parliament. He has been a member of the SPD since 1969.

In 2001 Knebel stood as a candidate for the mayor's office in the local elections, with the traditional dual leadership at the top of the administration (mayor and city director) being given up for the first time. As Lord Mayor, Knebel succeeded CDU politician Rudolf Rückert .

In the election of the mayor on September 10, 2006, however, Knebel missed the absolute majority of votes required to be re-elected in the first ballot. This made a runoff election against the CDU candidate Frank Klingebiel necessary. This was carried out on September 24th. Knebel was defeated with 48.3% of the vote. On October 31, 2006 Knebel resigned from the office of Lord Mayor. Knebel does not belong to the city council because he did not accept his mandate after the election defeat. Knebel also stayed away from the election and swearing-in of his successor in the office of mayor at the constituent meeting of the council on November 1, 2006.

predecessor	Office	successor
Rudolf Rückert	Lord Mayor of Salzgitter 2001 - 2006	Frank Klingebiel