Freising / Au - Karl Ecker wants to move into the Bundestag for the free voters.
The long-time mayor of the market town of Au is to run as a direct candidate in constituency 214 in the federal election in September.
"I am looking forward to a new challenge and support the goal of the Free Voters to bring more local political expertise to the Bundestag," explains the 57-year-old.
"As a long-time mayor and local politician, I know very well what is burning on the people, the companies and the municipalities."
In 1996, at the age of 32, Karl Ecker moved into the town hall of the market town of Au, making him one of the youngest mayors in Bavaria.
He had previously been a councilor for twelve years.
In 24 years as head of town hall, he has initiated formative changes such as the construction of the bypass or the establishment of the secondary school.
In the 2020 mayoral election, Ecker was no longer running, but with an excellent result he again made it into the Freising District Assembly, to which he has been a member since 2002.
Ecker: "The focus of my political work is always on people"
In the election campaign, Ecker would like to focus on a wide range of topics.
“The focus of my political work is always on people,” he emphasizes.
That is why he wants to work for a sustainable health, care and pension system as well as for a fair financial and tax policy that should primarily benefit families.
“Craft businesses and medium-sized businesses also need to be strengthened,” says Ecker.
Maintaining family farms should be another focus.
In order to cope with the consequences of the corona pandemic, it is also necessary to reduce bureaucracy.
"The cities and municipalities need more freedom from Berlin and Brussels in order to be able to make policies that are capable of acting again for the citizens in their homeland," Ecker is convinced.
FW district chairwoman is happy about "well-known candidates"
The Freising FW district chairwoman Maria Scharlach welcomed Ecker's decision to throw his hat in the ring: "I am delighted that we have been able to win a well-known candidate who, thanks to his successful work as mayor, enjoys great respect in the entire district and beyond."
The date for the official nomination has not yet been set
It is not yet clear when the official nomination of candidates can take place.
"As things stand at the moment, we are assuming that a meeting in person is needed," explains Benno Zierer, Member of the Freising State Parliament.
When this is possible depends on the infection rate - the target is a date in March.
"We will have to organize an event in the smallest possible framework and with the greatest possible hygiene precautions," believes Zierer.
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