The Wiesbaden social department head Christoph Manjura (SPD) is not running for re-election this spring, but renounces a second term. Manjura's first six-year term ends in June. As reported, the Frankfurt General Prosecutor's Office has charged the head of social affairs with aiding and abetting embezzlement in a particularly serious case.

Oliver Bock

Correspondent of the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis and for Wiesbaden.

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The allegations of the investigating authority, which is in charge of the affairs of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) in the region, go back to the time when Manjura was a leading member of the SPD town hall faction. At that time, Manjura is said to have been employed by the AWO in Wiesbaden as a consultant to the managing director Hannelore Richter and as a caregiver in a geriatric care center. Thanks to this payment, he was able to devote himself to his political career, which led to his election as the full-time head of the state capital's social affairs department in 2017. However, the public prosecutor's office did not see sufficient suspicion for the accusation of corruption.

The Wiesbaden Regional Court has still not decided on the admission of the lawsuit. However, this put the SPD under increasing pressure, because it has to choose its candidates for the succession of treasurer Axel Imholz (SPD), who is not running again, and, if necessary, for Manjura. He has now spared his party a crucial test with the withdrawal announcement.

In a letter to SPD members, Manjura justified his withdrawal with the need for personnel clarity. The SPD is facing important personnel decisions for the coming years. However, it is very difficult for him not to be able to continue his office. The aftermath of the corona pandemic would occupy the city for years to come, as would the consequences of migration. Wiesbaden is facing turbulent times.

The first information on the budget discussions 2024/25 is worrying. Wiesbaden could "not afford savings in the social budget at the moment." Therefore, he had "kept another candidacy open to the end." He was aware, however, that he had demanded a lot from the party.

On the advice of the lawyer, he was unable to meet the expectation of publicly commenting on the accusations of the public prosecutor's office: "I regret if this has led to disappointment." He will continue to work "with energy and passion" until the end of his term of office and prepare a smooth handover to his successor. The favorites for the two department posts to which the SPD is entitled are parliamentary group leader Hendrik Schmehl and party chairwoman Patricia Eck.