Steffen Krach: SPD nomination as a bearer of hope for Berlin 2026!

Steffen Krach: SPD nomination as a bearer of hope for Berlin 2026!

The Berlin SPD nominated Steffen Krach today as its top candidate for the election for the House of Representatives in 2026. The 46-year-old political scientist, who works as a regional president in Hanover, was unanimously elected for this position. Krach, born in 1979, studied at the Free University of Berlin and was involved in the Juso University Group during his studies. From 2014 to 2021 he worked as a state secretary for science under the senator of the education Sandra Scheeres and Government Mayor Michael Müller, which secured a good network in the SPD, even if he has not lived in Berlin for four years.

The SPD state executive committee aims to become the strongest party in the upcoming elections and win back the office of governing mayor. The expanded state executive board will discuss Krach's nomination next weekend before he is finally named the top candidate at a party conference on November 15th. The election to the House of Representatives in Berlin is scheduled for September 20, 2026.

Election campaign under difficult conditions

Krach will compete in the election against the incumbent mayor Kai Wegner from the CDU. The CDU is currently in coalition with the SPD. It is noteworthy that the SPD achieved its worst result in the repeat election to the House of Representatives in February 2023 with 18.4 percent. Krach will have to take advantage of this challenge if he wants to convince voters of his vision for Berlin.

In its election program, the SPD emphasizes the importance of Berlin as one of the most attractive cities in Europe. The focus is on social and ecological justice and equal opportunities for children. The vision for Berlin 2030 includes, among other things, the construction of 200,000 new apartments and the expansion of local public transport. Krach and the SPD see education as the key to a self-determined life and are working to improve the conditions for teachers in order to attract the best educators and teachers to the schools.

Goals for the coming years

The SPD perspectives also include partnership-based cooperation with companies in order to strengthen the economy after pandemic and create good jobs. Topics such as social justice, security and the fight against extremism are central aspects in the election campaign. The commitment to disadvantaged groups and the strengthening of the cohesion in society are further important points in Krachs future agenda.

Steffen Krach faces the challenge of convincing voters of the SPD's goals and program while at the same time highlighting the successes of the current coalition. Whether he succeeds in this will become clear next year when Berlin's citizens go to the ballot box.