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PoliticsBerlin CDU replaces top candidate after scandals, two months before state election
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Berlin's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has replaced its top candidate, Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, just two months before the state parliament election in September 2026, following a series of scandals. Wegner was caught lying about his activities on the morning of an arson attack on Berlin's power supply in January, with new evidence showing he made no phone calls despite claiming otherwise. The CDU's poll ratings subsequently collapsed to fourth place behind the Left Party, Greens, and AfD. Under pressure from powerful district chairpersons, Wegner stepped down from the top candidacy but will remain Governing Mayor until the election. Finance and Culture Senator Stefan Evers has been appointed as the new top candidate. The article, presented as a podcast episode summary, discusses potential government formations, including a Red-Red-Green coalition (Left Party, Greens, SPD) or a Kenya coalition (CDU, Greens, SPD). The Left Party's top candidate Elif Eralp is noted as a potential future governing mayor.
Source report
Podcast: Bundestalk
By: Sabine am Orde, Anna Klöpper, Erik Peter, and Uwe Rada
Berlin's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has replaced its top candidate for the upcoming state parliament election just months before the vote, following a series of scandals involving incumbent Governing Mayor Kai Wegner.
Wegner has repeatedly lied about how he spent the morning after an arson attack on the city's power supply in southwestern Berlin in January. Despite these falsehoods, the Berlin CDU only formally crowned him as its lead candidate for the September election a few weeks ago.
The Berlin Tagesspiegel then revealed a new detail: contrary to his statements, Wegner made no phone calls at all that morning. The CDU's poll ratings subsequently collapsed, dropping the party to fourth place behind the Left Party, the Greens, and the AfD. Under pressure from powerful district chairpersons, Wegner drew consequences and stepped down from the top candidacy.
In a hastily arranged press conference, Wegner announced his withdrawal but will remain Governing Mayor until the election. He did not apologize for his lies, stating only that "that was crap" and that the situation "annoys me the most." Finance and Culture Senator Stefan Evers has been named the CDU's new top candidate, with just two months remaining before the election.
Discussion Points in This Episode
In the latest episode of Bundestalk, the panel explores:
- How this scandal could unfold
- Where Stefan Evers will lead the CDU
- The chances that Berlin could be governed by the Left Party under top candidate Elif Eralp
According to current polls, two government formation options are likely:
- Red-Red-Green (SPD, Left Party, Greens)
- Kenya coalition (CDU, Greens, SPD)
Panelists
- Uwe Rada – Long-time political observer, taz Berlin editorial office
- Erik Peter – Department head, focusing on the Left Party and rent policy in Berlin
- Anna Klöpper – Peter's predecessor, now department head of taz.eins
- Sabine am Orde – Moderator, domestic policy correspondent from taz's parliamentary office
"Bundestalk" – The political podcast of taz, published weekly on taz.de and wherever podcasts are available.
Note: taz is 100 percent owned by its readers and remains free of corporate influence. All articles are freely accessible without a paywall. The publication relies on voluntary reader support to sustain independent journalism. Support taz.
Source
taz.de - taz.deWestern
Part of this Story
Berlin Mayor Wegner Faces Credibility Crisis Over Power Outage Statements