German city to elect 'Night Mayor' to manage nightlife

BERLIN - On Thursday evening local time, Mannheim will be the first city in Germany to elect a so-called "Night Mayor" who will mediate between the city administration, bar owners and residents.

Cities like Amsterdam, New York, Paris, London, Zurich and Toulouse already have implemented the concept. In Mannheim, two women and eight men stand for election of the position. The winner's mission is to ensure a safe and fair nightlife in the university city.

The job advertisement sparked public interest in the German UNESCO city of music and by the end of the deadline at the end of June, around 40 applications had been received. "We received a lot of very good applications, so in the end it was difficult to make a first selection," Matthias Rauch, the city's Head of Cultural Urban development, told the newspaper Mannheimer Morgen.

The finalists are between 24 and 53 years old and come from vastly different backgrounds. The selection includes caterers, DJs and musicians and even a lecturer in economics.

Of the ten final candidates, seven were shortlisted by a board consisting of city officials as well as representatives of the club scene, while the other three were selected by the public in an online vote.

During the final vote on Thursday, a jury of eight experts representing the city of Mannheim, the night clubs as well as the gastronomy will decide who will receive the post. The German audience functions as an additional jury member and will cast an additional vote.