Career
On March 25, 2012 he was elected mayor of Mainz as successor of Jens Beutel (Social Democratic Party of Germany). Ebling took over the office of mayor on April 18, 2012. After passing the Abitur at Gonsbach-Gymnasium in 1986, Ebling served for 20 months in the civilian service, or Zivildienst, caring for the disabled.
Later, he worked as an advisor to the ministry of education, science, and culture of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, joining the office of minister of State Jürgen Zöllner.
Ebling took an active part in the Mainz city council between 1994 and 2002, taking a lead position as spokesman for cultural affairs Between 1995 and 2007 he was chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany at Mombach, succeeding to Ursula Distelhut as a representative of the borough of Mainz-Mombach.
Michael Ebling was elected vice president of his party"s parliamentary group in 1998, only to be chosen as president in November 2008. He was elected full-time deputy mayor for social affairs, youth, health and housing in 2002, after his predecessor Malu Dreyer changed to the third cabinet of Kurt Beck.
Since 2006, Ebling joined the office of Doris Ahnen as Secretary of State.
Ebling was successful with an election programme putting social aspects and education policy on top of the agenda. He is the first native from Mainz to be elected mayor of his home town since 1965.