Tübingen Mayor Boris Palmer Steps Down From State Role Amid Allegations

Tübingen Mayor Boris Palmer announced that he is temporarily stepping down from his unpaid advisory position with the government of Baden-Württemberg following allegations concerning his private life. The 54-year-old politician firmly rejected the accusations, calling them baseless and announcing that he is reviewing potential legal steps.

The controversy erupted after Samantha Hilsdorf, a former city council member in Tübingen, published online statements accusing Palmer of sexual assault and emotional abuse. According to reports, the allegations detail incidents beginning during a municipal council trip in Ulm in June 2024, with the accuser claiming that Palmer touched her breasts without her consent.

In a public statement addressing the matter, Palmer stated: "Due to an allegation raised against me that has reached some media outlets and concerns my private life, I feel compelled to make this brief public statement: the allegations are baseless. I will defend myself against this and am having legal steps examined." He added that he informed the state premier that he would pause his honorary position focusing on state modernization and administrative simplification until the matter is fully clarified.

While Palmer maintained that he initiated the pause himself, a spokesperson for the regional government confirmed that he stepped down at the request of Minister-President Cem Özdemir. Özdemir and Palmer share a long-standing personal and political connection, with the minister-president previously expressing support for Palmer's potential return to the Green Party.

Palmer began his career as a state lawmaker and has served as the mayor of Tübingen since 2007. Once considered a potential successor to former Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, Palmer left the Green Party in 2023 following several scandals. Despite drawing sharp criticism from the party's left wing, discussions had recently circulated regarding a possible reconciliation.

The unfolding scandal has already impacted Palmer's public schedule. Organizers confirmed the cancellation of a scheduled stand-up comedy performance where the mayor was set to perform at the Sudhaus cultural center in Tübingen. Venue representatives stated that the event could not proceed given the current circumstances, and ticket holders will receive refunds.

Palmer requested that the media respect the privacy of both himself and his family as the investigation proceeds. Authorities have not yet detailed any formal legal proceedings, and the mayor indicated he will not issue further public statements for the time being.