Neunkirchen City Council paves way for removal process of Mayor Jörg Aumann

The Neunkirchen City Council has voted to initiate a removal process against Mayor Jörg Aumann. The decision follows an investigation into the Neunkirchen Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (NVG) affair, where Aumann is under investigation for suspected breach of trust in two cases involving the alleged misuse of city and NVG drivers for SPD federal party convention services.

During a recent appearance before a parliamentary inquiry committee, Aumann exercised his right to remain silent. His legal counsel questioned whether Aumann was even serving as the NVG supervisory board chairman during the period in question. Aumann has denied the allegations, characterizing the incidents as friendship-based services.

The council vote to initiate the process passed with the necessary majority, though the SPD faction abstained from the vote. A 14-day cooling-off period must now pass before the council holds a second vote. To successfully remove the mayor, a two-thirds majority will be required at that subsequent meeting.