Sindelfingen goes with Türkiye: new partnership for democracy!

Sindelfingen goes with Türkiye: new partnership for democracy!

Sindelfingen, Deutschland - In the Sindelfinger town hall, a new chapter of the city twinning was heralded on June 14, 2025. Bernd Vöhringer, the outgoing mayor, has signed a declaration of intent as partnership with the Turkish city of Menteşe. This happened at his last week of office and is considered a strong political signal that cooperation and democracy should be promoted. The Mayor of Menteşe, Gonca Göksal Aras, belongs to the CHP, a Kemalist-accular opposition party in Turkey. The signing is interpreted by the participants as a clear commitment to democracy, which is of great importance in view of the current political situation in Turkey.

This city partnership is not just a formal act, but also has the potential to build bridges between cultures. The exchange and the encounters at the local level help promote mutual understanding and strengthen the democratic values. According to a report by the city association, the foundations for a stronger cooperation between German and Turkish cities were laid on April 8, 2025.

democratic values ​​in focus

The meeting in Istanbul aims to emphasize solidarity and common democratic values. The mayors, who came together there, emphasized the role of the cities as places where democracy and freedom are lived and protected. The obligation to basic principles such as the maintenance of independence and the defense of the will of the people has been expressed. These challenges require strong, lively city communities that are willing to actively live local democracy.

Another step in this direction is the “Ortak” project. This program promotes the municipal specialist dialog between German and Turkish municipalities. Cities receive financial support of up to 25,000 euros in order to develop joint projects. Topics such as sustainable urban development and local business development are in the foreground, which enormously enriches the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the municipalities. This could also be important for future cooperation between Sindelfingen and Menteşe.

joint actions and goals

The goal of initiatives such as "Ortak" is not only to promote the technical dialogue, but also to support concrete measures. Such a common commitment not only strengthens the municipalities themselves, but also helps to form a strong network of cities that stand up for democracy and social justice. After all, not only the spoken word is important, but also the actions that follow.

The new partnership between Sindelfingen and Menteşe is a gratifying step in the right direction. It remains to be hoped that such agreements will not only exist on paper, but also lead to a fertile exchange that benefits from both cities. The door is therefore open to a lively exchange and shows that even in a globalized world, local governments can play a key role in building peace and democracy.