The election campaign was marked by the kidnapping of the CDU top candidate, Peter Lorenz.

Lorenz was kidnapped three days before the election by 2 June Movement who demanded the release of six of their comrades.

This left incumbent SPD mayor Klaus Schütz in the somewhat awkward position of having to determine, so to speak, the life of his challenger.

After the federal government gave in to the demands by the 2 June Movement, Peter Lorenz was released two days after the election.

After negotiations, incumbent SPD mayor Klaus Schütz was able to be re-elected at the head of an SPD-FDP government.