Key facts
- Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner announced he will not run for reelection on September 20.
- Wegner faced significant pressure following media reports about his actions during a January blackout.
- The January blackout affected approximately 45,000 homes and 2,000 businesses for nearly a week.
- Wegner admitted to playing tennis for an hour shortly after the blackout began, contradicting earlier statements.
- The CDU's support in Berlin has fallen to 17% in recent polls, down from 28.2% in February 2023.
- Wegner stated his withdrawal is to prevent further weakening of the CDU and to allow his message to be heard.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner announced Friday that he will not seek reelection in the September 20 election, citing immense pressure and a loss of public trust following controversy over his handling of a January power blackout. Wegner admitted to misrepresenting his actions during the crisis, specifically that he played tennis for an hour shortly after the blackout began, which plunged about 45,000 homes and 2,000 businesses into darkness for nearly a week.
Wegner stated that communication errors had overshadowed his political message, making it impossible to effectively convey his agenda to the electorate. He expressed that his withdrawal was intended to prevent further weakening of his party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), which has seen a significant decline in support in Berlin. Recent polls show the CDU at 17%, down from 28.2% in the February 2023 snap election, trailing behind The Left Party, the Greens, and the far-right AfD.
Despite the communication missteps, Wegner maintained that his management of the emergency itself was effective. He expressed a desire to prevent a left-wing coalition and to strengthen the political center in Berlin. Stefan Evers, Berlin's finance senator, is expected to be the CDU's new candidate for mayor.