Ceremonial farewell: Interior minister praises Kaminsky as “the face of this city”

After 23 years as Hanau’s mayor, Claus Kaminsky is leaving office to a ceremonial farewell attended by several hundred people.

Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck praised the 66-year-old Social Democrat as an “honest and authentic” politician who had shown courage and determination. “Claus Kaminsky was the face of this city in good times and bad,” Poseck said.

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Claus Kaminsky was the face of this city in good times and bad.

The minister particularly highlighted Kaminsky’s role in Hanau’s path toward greater independence and his response to the racist attack of February 19, 2020. “The terrible attack was a watershed for all of us,” Poseck said.

Poseck also praised Kaminsky for standing by the victims’ relatives and working to preserve the city’s unity during a period of horror and mourning. Kaminsky will remain mayor until September 30. His successor, 35-year-old Social Democrat Maximilian Bieri, won the mayoral runoff at the end of March.

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The terrible attack was a watershed for all of us.