Criticism mounts against Wegner - SPD initiates early preparations for the election campaign - Conflict erupts between Krach and Wegner - SPD begins election campaigning prematurely
Steffen Krach, current Regional President in Hannover, has been officially nominated by the Berlin SPD leadership as the Spitzenkandidat for the election to the House of Representatives in Berlin for 2026. The unanimous decision was made by the executive state board, though a specific public confirmation event date after the nomination is yet to be announced.
Krach, who served as State Secretary for Science in Berlin from 2014 to 2021, expressed his eagerness to start the campaign for the 2026 Berlin election. He is focused on winning the election for the SPD and believes that Berlin can set a good example in many areas, such as healthcare, infrastructure, security, cleanliness, and innovation.
In a recent statement, Krach criticized the current mayor Kai Wegner for governing Berlin in a sluggish, unambitious, and half-hearted manner. He referenced the 2014 referendum against developing the former airport area when discussing Tempelhofer Field, stating that one could look into ways to make the field more "livable" through inclusivity, sports facilities, and cultural offerings. Krach is confident that a solution can be found to satisfy all interests regarding Tempelhofer Field.
Krach believes that Berlin's voice is barely heard in national politics and that Wegner takes no clear positions on many issues that matter to Berliners. He plans to move to Berlin next year and has initiated a strong offensive approach for the 2026 Berlin election.
In response, Wegner rejected the accusations and highlighted his achievements in tackling administrative reform. He stated that everyone must decide their approach for the campaign and that Berliners have a keen sense for distinguishing qualities and achievements.
Krach's family shares his sentiment of being happy to be Berliners. The SPD, under Krach's leadership, aims to address the "stress" in Berlin caused by high rents, schools, daycare centers, and infrastructure. Krach doesn't have a plan B if he doesn't win the election in Berlin.
Steffen Krach will be officially named the top SPD candidate for Berlin at a party conference on November 15. He is currently discussing his role there with the factions in the regional parliament this week. Krach emphasized the need for a strong statement from the Red City Hall to achieve more power.
The 2023 coalition of CDU and SPD was elected to work, not to campaign for the 2026 election to the House of Representatives. Regardless, Krach is determined to make his mark on Berlin's political landscape and bring about change for the better.
Read also:
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Uncovering Political Ad Transparency: A Guide to Investigating opponent's Political Advertisements in the Digital Realm
- Elon Musk praises JD Vance's debate performance against Tim Walz
- Right-wing Israeli minister supports controversial plan for West Bank settlement expansion
