Berlin CDU Elects Kai Wegner as Top Candidate for State Election

Kai Wegner will once again lead the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Berlin's upcoming election for the House of Representatives, having been re-elected as the party's top candidate.

At the state party convention, Wegner received strong support, with about 93 percent of delegates voting for him. He secured 252 out of 272 cast votes. In his more than hour-long speech, Wegner highlighted the past three years of the CDU-SPD governing coalition as successful and pledged to continue a pragmatic course for Berlin, advocating for common sense over "green-left ideology."

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We have been successful. These were three good years for Berlin.

His re-election faced an unexpected challenge from Wolfram Wickert, a delegate from the Mitte district, who argued that the CDU needed a different lead candidate. Wegner has faced increased criticism within his own party in recent months.

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Common sense must govern in Berlin, not 'green-left ideology.'

While the CDU emerged as the strongest party in the February 2023 election with 28.2 percent under Wegner's leadership, recent polls indicate a significant drop in support, with figures ranging from 19 to 20 percent. Current surveys suggest potential coalitions could be formed between the CDU, Greens, and SPD, or between the Greens, Left Party, and SPD.

The election for the new Berlin House of Representatives is scheduled for September 20, coinciding with the state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Other major Berlin parties have already named their top candidates: the Greens will be represented by faction leader Werner Graf, the Left Party by Vice Chairwoman Elif Eralp, the AfD by state chairwoman Kerstin Brinker, the SPD by former state secretary Steffen Krach, and the FDP by state chairman Christoph Meyer. The BSW has nominated state leader Alexander King.

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The CDU needs a different top candidate.