Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) welcomed the support for an Olympic bid in 2036 from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Speaking to ARD on Sunday, Wegner expressed being “very relieved,” pleased that the President now backs the bid despite previous hesitations. He noted that Steinmeier is a “passionate supporter of the Olympics,” adding that, “We want to bring the Games back to Germany.” While acknowledging that the legacy of the 1936 Games must be addressed, Wegner sees the opportunity as a chance to demonstrate to the world, a century later, that “Berlin today is not a city in a dictatorship, but a democracy as a city of freedom, diversity, and openness to the world.”
Wegner also addressed the ongoing tax debate. He strongly opposed any increase in VAT, stating that such a measure sends “the wrong signal,” especially when many in the middle class are struggling to afford their weekly groceries. He stressed that the German public urgently needs relief. According to the mayor, “Life has become increasingly expensive, not only at the fuel pumps, but also in the supermarket, and with rent.” He concluded that providing relief is currently the utmost necessity.
