Berlin’s upcoming mayoral election is taking on a sharper edge following criticism leveled by SPD candidate Steffen Krach against incumbent Kai Wegner of the CDU. Wegner’s handling of the recent widespread power outages, which left tens of thousands of residents without electricity and enduring freezing temperatures, has become a central point of contention.
Krach, slated to directly challenge Wegner in September’s Abgeordnetenhauswahl, accused the current governing mayor of a severe lack of leadership during the crisis. In an interview with “Der Spiegel”, Krach stated he expected a leader to demonstrate immediate presence and engagement in such circumstances. He further demanded Wegner articulate a clear plan for addressing the ongoing situation and providing relief to affected communities.
The SPD candidate’s critique extended to the tangible support offered to the most vulnerable citizens. He questioned why Wegner’s administration hasn’t established emergency hotel accommodations – a solution readily available, he suggests, by strategically utilizing resources. Referencing the high-profile case of singer Sarah Connor, who publicly documented her experience with the blackout, Krach underscored the disparity in resilience: “While a Sarah Connor can afford a hotel and doesn’t even have to ask for it, those who are already struggling deserve significantly more support in a crisis like this.
Krach also dismissed Wegner’s recent visit to an emergency shelter as insufficient, branding it a “brief performance with comforting words”. He voiced concerns that the delayed and seemingly superficial response risked providing ammunition for right-wing extremist groups seeking to exploit the situation for propaganda purposes. While acknowledging the crucial role of individual government departments and their crisis management teams, Krach emphasized his belief that a Regierender Bürgermeister fundamentally serves as the central crisis manager – responsible for orchestrating the response and setting the overall direction. The emerging clash highlights a fundamental disagreement on the role of leadership during times of crisis and promises a robust political debate leading up to the election.
