Wire flash
PoliticsBerlin SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach raided in bribery probe
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
On September 9, 2026, the Hanover Public Prosecutor's Office conducted raids on the apartment of Berlin SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach, as well as party offices in Berlin-Schöneberg, the SPD state headquarters in Wedding, and premises in Hanover. The searches are part of an investigation into suspicions of bribery linked to Krach's tenure as Regional President of Hanover, during which he also chaired the supervisory board of a municipal hospital chain. The probe focuses on a possible donation connected to the reorganization of a hospital in Lehrte. Three years ago, the regional administration decided to close the old hospital by 2030 and build a modern health center. Krach had publicly favored a concept from a provider that ultimately did not win the contract. Investigators are examining whether Krach received an unspecified donation from that provider, either personally or for the regional SPD. The Berlin SPD and Krach firmly reject the allegations and are cooperating with authorities. The presumption of innocence applies.
Source report
Berlin's SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach. Source: Annette Riedl/dpa
The Hanover Public Prosecutor's Office has conducted searches at the apartment of Berlin's SPD lead candidate, Steffen Krach, as well as at party premises. Investigators are examining suspicions of bribery.
Searches Across Multiple Locations
On Wednesday, investigators searched premises linked to Krach, including:
- His apartment in Berlin-Schöneberg
- The SPD state headquarters in Wedding
- Premises in Hanover
The searches were reported by the Tagesspiegel and the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung. The proceedings are being led by the Hanover Public Prosecutor's Office on suspicion of bribery.
Party Responds to Allegations
A spokesperson for the Berlin SPD told the Tagesspiegel:
"As the Berlin SPD, and on behalf of our state chairman and lead candidate Steffen Krach, we firmly reject these allegations. Naturally, we are cooperating fully with the authorities to clear up these baseless accusations."
Investigation Focuses on Possible Donation
According to the Tagesspiegel, the investigation centers on a possible donation linked to the reorganization of a hospital location in Lehrte. The probe focuses on Krach's tenure as Regional President of Hanover, during which he also chaired the supervisory board of the municipal hospital chain from late 2021 to early 2026.
Three years ago, the regional administration decided to close the old hospital in Lehrte by 2030 and build a modern health center instead. Prior to this decision, Krach had publicly stated his preferred concept. According to the Tagesspiegel, this was the model of a provider that ultimately did not receive the contract.
Investigators have not ruled out that Krach received an unspecified "donation" from this provider. It remains unclear whether the donation was intended for Krach personally or for the SPD in the region. The presumption of innocence applies.
Reporting by rct/krö
Source
Nachrichten - WELTWestern
Part of this Story
Berlin SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach raided in bribery probe over hospital donation