Berlin CDU nominates finance senator Evers as mayoral candidate after Wegner quits

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Berlin CDU nominates finance senator Evers as mayoral candidate after Wegner quits
Berlin CDU picks finance senator Evers as lead candidate after mayor Wegner quits over power outage lies
ContinuationCDU Berlin replaces Wegner with Evers as blackout fallout deepens campaign crisis
Berlin's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is moving swiftly to nominate Finance Senator Stefan Evers as its new candidate for the upcoming election, following the withdrawal of incumbent Governing Mayor Kai Wegner. The party's state executive is set to meet on Monday afternoon to formalize Evers' nomination, hoping to revitalize its campaign and improve its standing in the polls.
Evers, 46, has already garnered support from the CDU district chairs, who backed him in a meeting on Friday evening. Although their endorsement is influential, the final decision rests with the state executive. Once nominated, Evers will take on the role of leading the CDU through the election campaign, with the vote scheduled for September 20.
Evers has outlined his priorities, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility and clear budgetary priorities. "We must invest where Berlin has catch-up needs, but we must spend less elsewhere," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He criticized expensive regulations and the policy of providing free school meals to wealthy parents, calling it unfair.
Addressing the issue of increasing litter in Berlin, Evers described the situation as unacceptable and vowed to take action with strict fines and enforcement personnel. However, he acknowledged that these measures are just a start.
The change in candidacy comes after Kai Wegner's withdrawal, which was prompted by criticism of his handling of a major power outage in Berlin earlier this year. Wegner had been under pressure for months, and his decision to step down has left the CDU scrambling to regain momentum.
Evers has also spoken about security concerns, particularly in the wake of recent attacks on Berlin's power grid. He called for a more robust security architecture, including clear leadership responsibilities, a joint situation center, regular exercises, and an administration capable of acting in emergencies.
In addition to his focus on management and fiscal responsibility, Evers has expressed his support for the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade, seeing it as an integral part of Berlin's identity. He defended the participation of the Senate Chancellery in the event, despite criticism from some within his party.
Political analysts see Evers' nomination as an opportunity for the CDU to regroup and present a united front. However, the party faces significant challenges, with its polling at a low of 17 percent. Evers has expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party through the election, stating, "I am ready to take on this responsibility."
The political landscape in Berlin is complex, with the CDU representing a significant portion of the population that would not typically vote for the SPD, Linke, or Grüne. These voters are often from outer districts and are concerned about issues like crime and public services.
As the CDU prepares to nominate Evers, the focus will be on whether he can unite the party and appeal to a broad base of voters. With the election just over two months away, the party has little time to waste.
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