Daniel Zimmermann
Encyclopedia
Daniel Zimmermann is a German politician
, founder of the PETO
party and is the mayor of Monheim am Rhein
since 21 October 2009. He is the youngest mayor in North Rhine-Westphalia
.
. From 1988 to 1992 he attended the Geschwister-Scholl-Grundschule (elementary school) in Baumberg. Then he advanced to the Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium in Monheim, where he achieved Abitur in 2001. Afterwards he underwent civil service at the Biologische Station Urdenbacher Kämpe e.V.. From 2002 to 2008 he studied French and Physics at the University of Cologne
to become a teacher. In December 2008 he achieved the first Staatsexamen
. At last he worked as a scientist at the Romanisches Seminar (seminar for Romance languages) at the university. He was a tutor
for the intermediate examination at the language-related sector of the subjects French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese and prepared his PhD-thesis.
, too. Five years earlier, he had not been allowed to run for office, because he was not yet 18 years old. He was president of the city council group of PETO until 2006. He has been president of the board which controls for the town-owned companies since 2005.
During the Monheim am Rhein city Council election PETO achieved 29,56% of the votes and twelve seats in the city council, only 108 votes less than the biggest party CDU
which gained twelve seats, too.
During the mayor election which took place simultaneously, for which he was nominated as a candidate by his party in August 2008, Zimmermann gained 30,35% of the votes, which meant a relative majority, enough to win, after the two-round system
had been abolished in 2007.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, founder of the PETO
PETO
PETO – Die junge Alternative is one of the first youth parties in Germany. The political party is situated in Monheim am Rhein in North-Rhine-Westphalia....
party and is the mayor of Monheim am Rhein
Monheim am Rhein
Monheim am Rhein is a town on the right bank of the river Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Monheim belongs to the district of Mettmann - with the southern suburbs of Düsseldorf to the north, and the Bergisches Land to the south...
since 21 October 2009. He is the youngest mayor in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
.
Professional career
Zimmermann grew up as the son of a printing press technician and an administration clerk in BaumbergBaumberg
Baumberg is part of the city of Monheim am Rhein in the district of Mettmann in North Rhine-Westphalia at the southern border of Düsseldorf, placed on the eastern bank of the river Rhine...
. From 1988 to 1992 he attended the Geschwister-Scholl-Grundschule (elementary school) in Baumberg. Then he advanced to the Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium in Monheim, where he achieved Abitur in 2001. Afterwards he underwent civil service at the Biologische Station Urdenbacher Kämpe e.V.. From 2002 to 2008 he studied French and Physics at the University of Cologne
University of Cologne
The University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe and, with over 44,000 students, one of the largest universities in Germany. The university is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, an association of Germany's leading research universities...
to become a teacher. In December 2008 he achieved the first Staatsexamen
Staatsexamen
The ' is a German government licensing examination that future doctors, teachers, pharmacists, food chemists and jurists have to pass to be allowed to work in their profession. The examination is generally organized by government examination agencies which are under the authority of the...
. At last he worked as a scientist at the Romanisches Seminar (seminar for Romance languages) at the university. He was a tutor
Tutor
A tutor is a person employed in the education of others, either individually or in groups. To tutor is to perform the functions of a tutor.-Teaching assistance:...
for the intermediate examination at the language-related sector of the subjects French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese and prepared his PhD-thesis.
Political career
In 1999, Zimmermann and four other teenagers founded the youth party PETO – Die junge Alternative (PETO - the young alternative). The name of the party refers to the Latin word peto (in English: „I postulate“). Zimmermann became first president of this new party until 2004. The party could rise its results continually. In 1999 they achieved 6 per cent and three seat in the city council and 2004 they improved this result with 16,6% and seven seats. In 2004 he belonged to the city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, too. Five years earlier, he had not been allowed to run for office, because he was not yet 18 years old. He was president of the city council group of PETO until 2006. He has been president of the board which controls for the town-owned companies since 2005.
During the Monheim am Rhein city Council election PETO achieved 29,56% of the votes and twelve seats in the city council, only 108 votes less than the biggest party CDU
Christian Democratic Union (Germany)
The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum...
which gained twelve seats, too.
During the mayor election which took place simultaneously, for which he was nominated as a candidate by his party in August 2008, Zimmermann gained 30,35% of the votes, which meant a relative majority, enough to win, after the two-round system
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
had been abolished in 2007.
Works
- „Ich kann Bürgermeister!“: Mit 27 Jahren Deutschland jüngstes Stadtoberhaupt. Fackelträger-Verlag, Köln, ISBN 978-3-7716-4460-4.