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PoliticsBerlin CDU Unanimously Elects Finance Senator Stefan Evers as Top Candidate for State Election
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The Berlin branch of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has officially selected Finance Senator Stefan Evers as its new top candidate for the upcoming state parliament election, scheduled for September 20, 2026. The state executive committee unanimously elected the 46-year-old Evers, who succeeds Kai Wegner. Wegner withdrew from the candidacy on Friday following a months-long controversy over his handling of a major power outage in January. Evers will also serve as interim state party chairman until a formal election at a party conference. Additionally, Bundestag member Lukas Krieger was appointed interim General Secretary, replacing Ottilie Klein. In his first remarks after the election, Evers acknowledged the challenging situation but emphasized the CDU's responsibility for Berlin, vowing to fight for the city's stable development from the political center.
Source report
He could become Governing Mayor of Berlin: CDU top candidate Stefan Evers. Source: Fabian Sommer/dpa
The Berlin CDU has officially selected a new top candidate for the upcoming state parliament election. The state executive committee unanimously elected Finance Senator Stefan Evers, who succeeds Kai Wegner following Wegner's withdrawal announcement on Friday.
Key Developments
- Stefan Evers, 46, was unanimously elected by the state executive committee late this afternoon, according to the dpa news agency.
- The CDU district chairmen had proposed Evers on Friday.
- Evers also assumes the CDU state chairmanship on an interim basis, with a formal election to take place at a party conference.
Background
Kai Wegner withdrew from the CDU top candidacy, drawing consequences from a months-long debate over contradictory and false statements regarding his crisis management after a multi-day power outage in January. The state parliament election is scheduled for September 20, just over two months away.
Leadership Changes
- Ottilie Klein is stepping down as General Secretary.
- On Evers' proposal, Lukas Krieger — Bundestag member and district chairman of the CDU Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf — will serve as interim General Secretary. This decision was also unanimous.
Evers' Statement
Following his election, Evers acknowledged the challenges ahead:
"The situation we are in is not an easy one. At the same time, we are aware of our responsibility for this city."
He noted that Wegner withdrew to "clear the view for what is essential," adding: "We want to use this to position the Berlin CDU as best as possible."
Evers further stated:
"With everything I have to give, I will fight so that this Berlin gets the chance, keeps the chance, to develop over the coming years in such a way that truly everyone can become anything. It is about shaping this Berlin stably from the center of the political landscape."
dpa/jho
Source
Nachrichten - WELTWestern
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