The Council of German public broadcaster ZDF has re-elected Norbert Himmler as Director General, confirming him for a second term at an assembly in Mainz on 13 March 2026.
Of the 53 Council members present, 48 voted in favour of Himmler, with three votes against and two abstentions. The required majority was 36 votes, equivalent to three fifths of the statutory members of the 60-seat body.
Himmler was the only candidate put forward for the post. An earlier potential challenger withdrew her candidacy shortly before the election, leaving the incumbent unopposed and clearing the way for what observers had expected to become a largely formal confirmation.
The new term of office for Himmler will begin on 15 March 2027.
ZDF Council Chair Gerda Hasselfeldt welcomed the result. “The re-election underlines the Council’s confidence in his leadership and his clear strategic direction for ZDF,” she said. “In recent years, Norbert Himmler has shaped the broadcaster with foresight and a strong sense of responsibility.”
Himmler thanked the Council for its support: “We have set important strategic directions for the future of ZDF over the past four years together with the Executive Board and our employees,” he said. “I will do my part to ensure that ZDF is well positioned to meet the challenges of the digital future.”
Himmler first took office in 2022 after succeeding Thomas Bellut. ZDF’s previous Directors General include Karl Holzamer (1962–1977), Karl Günther von Hase (1977–1982), Dieter Stolte (1982–2002), Markus Schächter (2002–2012) and Thomas Bellut (2012–2022).
