Berlin mayor quits reelection race after 'tennis-gate' power blackout row

Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, has abandoned his campaign for reelection following intense pressure stemming from a public relations crisis. The controversy erupted in January when Wegner was criticized for playing tennis while large parts of the German capital experienced a significant power outage.

Wegner announced his decision on Friday afternoon, stating he would not run in the upcoming September 20 election. The move comes after mounting pressure from within his own party, the Christian Democrats (CDU). Earlier in the week, some party members had penned an open letter urging him to withdraw his candidacy, highlighting the damage the "tennis-gate" scandal had inflicted on his political standing.

In his statement, Wegner admitted that his communication regarding the power blackout was inadequate. He believes the ensuing controversy has overshadowed his other political responsibilities and work as mayor. The decision marks a significant turn for Berlin's political leadership, ending Wegner's bid for a second term amidst the fallout from the incident.