Career
He was mayor of Cologne from 2000 until 2009. In 2000, Schramma (Christian Democratic Union) assumed office as mayor-in-chief along with Bernhard Wimmer (Christian Democratic Union), because the incumbent Harry Blum (Christian Democratic Union) died unexpectedly. The Social Democrats were heavily weakened by corruption scandals.
Schramma"s term in office was nine years instead of the usual five: he first completed the term of his predecessor Blum until 2004, and then he served his own term as a result of winning the runoff in 2000.