Stefan Evers to lead CDU's Berlin election campaign

Background: Withdrawal after power outage debate

Evers himself stated that he was taking on the lead candidacy and, on an acting basis, also the state party chairmanship "in an exceptionally difficult situation." Evers is considered one of Wegner's closest confidants and has not previously emerged as a widely known leading political figure in the state. As Finance Senator, he bears shared responsibility for the fiscal policy of the black-red (CDU-SPD) senate.

The starting position for the CDU is exceptionally difficult. In the most recent poll, the party dropped to 17 percent, placing it in fourth place behind Die Linke, the Greens, and the AfD. The current coalition of CDU and SPD under Governing Mayor Kai Wegner no longer holds its own majority in the House of Representatives.

Polls place CDU in fourth

Reactions from political competitors were correspondingly sharp. Elif Eralp, Die Linke's lead candidate, said: „Wegner geht, aber die CDU bleibt, wer auch immer sie führt. Eine Partei, die gegen die Interessen dieser Stadt arbeitet, gegen die Menschen, die Berlin täglich am Laufen halten, und die jedes Vertrauen verspielt hat."

Sharp criticism from the Left, Greens, and AfD

Green party chairwoman Nina Stahr also voiced pointed criticism: „Die CDU versucht, mit der Nominierung von Stefan Evers so zu tun, als wäre ein Neustart möglich. Doch am 20. September werden zuallererst Parteien gewählt. Und die Bilanz von drei Jahren CDU-Regierung muss auch Stefan Evers verantworten."

AfD state chairwoman and lead candidate Kristin Brinker attacked Evers personally, declaring: „Evers ist das letzte Aufgebot der CDU und als Finanzsenator für die mit Abstand größte Verschuldung in der Geschichte Berlins verantwortlich. Wegner ist weg vom Fenster, aber das System Wegner bleibt, denn mit Stefan Evers hebt die Union seinen engsten Vertrauten aufs Schild. Seine Kandidatur sei kein Neuanfang. Sondern ein ‚weiter so‘ mit anderer Galionsfigur."

Outlook on the election campaign

With the personnel decision, the CDU is attempting to signal renewal in the remaining weeks before the election. Whether the change at the top can still noticeably affect the party's poll numbers remains an open question. The designated new lead candidate faces the task of both mobilizing the party's own base and reaching out to undecided voters.

What is clear is that, with Evers, the CDU is pinning its hopes on a figure who has so far been visible primarily in the senate's fiscal policy. In the coming days, the state executive board will officially confirm the personnel decision, after which the hot phase of the election campaign in the capital will begin.