Election push by SPD kicks off amid Wegner's crisis - Conflict between Krach and Wegner - Social Democratic Party initiates preliminary election strategies
Steffen Krach Kicks Off Campaign for Berlin Mayor
Steffen Krach, a former president of the Hannover region, has officially been nominated as the top candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the 2026 Berlin election. Krach, who is married and has three sons, plans to return to Berlin next year, as his family is also moving to the city.
Krach, who previously lived in Berlin for 20 years, has been vocal about his views on several pressing issues in the city. He believes that the development of Tempelhofer Field will not solve Berlin's housing problems and instead suggests focusing on inclusion, sports facilities, and cultural offerings to make the area more "liveable".
In the regional parliament in Hannover, Krach will discuss his role there continuing until the regular election on September 13, 2026. He has been critical of Berlin's current governance, stating that the city is being governed poorly and barely heard in national politics. Krach believes that Berlin can set a good example in many areas, such as healthcare, infrastructure, safety, cleanliness, and innovation.
Krach has started his campaign early with an aggressive approach against the ruling mayor Kai Wegner (CDU). He has criticized Wegner for not taking clear positions on many issues that matter to Berliners and for promising everything to everyone without making clear decisions and implementing them.
Wegner, however, has rejected Krach's accusations, stating that he has tackled administrative reform issues. Krach's predecessors, according to Wegner, had failed to achieve any administrative reform.
During his term, Wegner also mentioned that he has achieved many other points. The SPD, on the other hand, wants to focus on addressing "stress" in Berlin, such as high rents, schools, kindergartens, and infrastructure.
Krach will be officially crowned as the top candidate at a party conference on November 15. He has assured that he will be in Berlin during the campaign, but will not neglect his duties in Hannover. There will be no early election for the new regional president in Hannover before the regular election on September 13, 2026.
As Krach gears up for the 2026 Berlin election, Berliners can expect a heated race between the two candidates, each with their own visions for the city's future.
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