Challenges and change of course: Kai Wegner and the strategy of the CDU in Berlin

Veröffentlicht: 05. August 2023, 00:09 Uhr

Von: NAG Redaktion

Die Berliner Landesregierung, bestehend aus einer schwarz-roten Koalition, ist nun seit 100 Tagen im Amt. Kurz nach der Wiederholungswahl im Februar wurde eine Umfrage des Instituts Civey veröffentlicht, die die Union bei 24 Prozent und die SPD bei 19 Prozent sieht. Im Vergleich zu den Wahlergebnissen von 28,2 Prozent für die Union und 18,4 Prozent für die SPD, scheint es einen Verlust von mehr als vier Prozentpunkten zu geben. Es wird jedoch betont, dass die 28,2 Prozent der Union bei der Wahl ein Protestergebnis waren. Der Protest richtete sich gegen die Wahlwiederholung selbst und die Unfähigkeit der rot-grün-roten Koalition, die … — The Berlin state government, consisting of a black and red coalition, has been in office for 100 days. Shortly after the repetition election in February, a survey by the Civey Institute, which the Union sees at 24 percent and the SPD at 19 percent, was published. Compared to the election results of 28.2 percent for the Union and 18.4 percent for the SPD, there seems to be a loss of more than four percentage points. However, it is emphasized that the 28.2 percent of the Union was a protester result in the election. The protest was directed against the repetition of the election itself and the inability of the red-green-red coalition, which ... (Symbolbild/MB)

The Berlin state government, consisting of a black and red coalition, has been in office for 100 days. Shortly after the repetition election in February, a survey by the Civey Institute, which the Union sees at 24 percent and the SPD at 19 percent, was published. Compared to the election results of 28.2 percent for the Union and 18.4 percent for the SPD, there seems to be a loss of more than four percentage points.

However, it is emphasized that the 28.2 percent of the Union was a protester result in the election. The protest was directed against the repetition of the election itself and the inability of the red-green-red coalition to unite the Berlin city society. It was mentioned that even the 24 percent of the Union will probably be an honest result.

The ruling mayor Kai Wegner has not yet publicly commented on the survey results, since he is currently active in terms of federal politics. Instead, he has recently criticized Friedrich Merz, the Federal Chairman of the CDU. Wegner and Merz had already had conflicts last autumn when Merz suggested that Wegner should submit the top candidate. Wegner successfully defended himself against this proposal, but the sting is deep.

In an interview, Wegner emphasized that a candidate for chancellor should always be carried by a majority of the party. He also emphasized that the CDU elections always win in the political center. These statements are interpreted as a criticism of Merz and show that Wegner obviously distances himself from him.

Furthermore, Wegner has asked to expose the debt brake at the federal level to enable investments. For example, he called the construction of new schools, housing subsidies and help for an affordable energy supply as examples. This requirement is considered surprisingly because Friedrich Merz supports compliance with the debt brake. It is speculated whether Wegner should be regarded as a tactical decision or an honest opinion.

It is also mentioned that Wegner distanced itself from the FDP, even though she was previously considered a natural partner of the CDU. Wegner turned away from the liberals to increase his chance of the office of the mayor. It is emphasized that Wegner has become more social in his policy and is committed to affordable living space. His background in petty bourgeois conditions has shaped him and he is aware of how it is to be afraid of your own apartment.

It is also pointed out that Wegner is known as a string puller in smaller political circles. He managed to fight for the head of the Berlin CDU and has been politically up since then. It is emphasized that Wegner has become more flexible in his political views and has adapted to the realities of the city.

In summary, it can be said that Kai Wegner made some surprising decisions in the first 100 days of his term as a ruling mayor of Berlin. He distances himself from Friedrich Merz and supports the suspension of the debt brake. He also campaigns for affordable living space based on his own experiences. It remains to be seen which further political developments will bring his term.