Lars Weiss to continue as Mayor of Copenhagen ahead of municipal election

Lars Weiss has announced that he will continue as the Mayor of Copenhagen leading up to the upcoming municipal election in November next year. He is the first Social Democratic mayor to both lower taxes and increase parking spaces for the city’s residents, prompting satisfaction among his colleagues regarding his continued leadership.

Currently, Weiss is serving as acting mayor until September 19, following the departure of Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, who took on the role of Minister of Social Affairs. His announcement has been positively received by fellow city officials, including Jens-Kristian Lütken, the employment and integration mayor, who expressed his support by highlighting their collaborative efforts to benefit the citizens of Copenhagen.

Mia Nyegaard, the culture and leisure mayor, also welcomed Weiss’s decision, indicating that her party, Radikale Venstre, had always viewed his potential continuation favorably. Meanwhile, Jakob Næsager, the children and youth mayor, expected Weiss to continue in his role.

Weiss acknowledged that the decision to extend his term was challenging. He explained that the sudden shift in circumstance was unexpected, especially since he had previously indicated before the summer break that he would not seek reelection. “It has been a very difficult decision. I was not prepared for the chaotic situation that arose,” he stated.

The city council will formally nominate Lars Weiss as mayor until the municipal election during a meeting scheduled for September 19.