Berlin's finance senator, Stefan Evers, is poised to take over as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lead candidate for the state election on September 20, following the withdrawal of incumbent mayor Kai Wegner. The party's state executive committee is expected to formally nominate the 46-year-old on Monday afternoon, after district chairpersons voiced their support on Friday evening. Evers faces the challenge of lifting the CDU from fourth place in recent polls, where it stands at just 17 percent, behind the Left Party, the Greens, and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Evers, who will also temporarily assume the role of state party chairman, has outlined a platform focused on fiscal discipline, public cleanliness, and preventing a left-green coalition from taking power. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he stressed the need for clear budget priorities, warning that Berlin can no longer afford expensive regulations in construction and data protection. He criticized what he called «freebie politics» for well-off parents who can afford school lunches, a policy long championed by the CDU's coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
The finance senator also addressed the growing problem of litter in the capital, calling it unacceptable. He said the city is fighting back with steep fines and more personnel to enforce rules, but added that more needs to be done. «I believe that those who receive state benefits and are able to work should give something back to the community — for example, by helping to keep Berlin clean,» Evers stated.
On the issue of housing, Evers opposed federal plans to ban expropriation, arguing that the debate over expropriation has caused enormous damage and worsened the housing shortage. Instead of spending billions on compensation, he said he would rather invest in building new apartments, including on the edge of Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport turned public park. This, he said, distinguishes him from the Left Party.
Evers described his political style as managerial but not ivory-tower. «My strength lies in management, but I do not make politics from an ivory tower,» he said, adding that he stands for modern conservatism. «And I will do everything to prevent a left-green government in Berlin.»
The nomination comes after Kai Wegner stepped down as the CDU's top candidate on Friday afternoon, following months of controversy over inaccurate statements about his handling of a major power outage in January. Wegner intends to remain as mayor until a successor is elected, but the CDU is eager to move quickly to rebuild voter confidence. No state party congress vote is required for the candidacy, though Evers will need to be confirmed as state chairman at the next party convention.
The political landscape in Berlin remains fragmented. The current coalition between the CDU and SPD, led by Wegner, has long lost its majority in opinion polls. Evers is still relatively unknown to many Berliners, and the party hopes that a unified and focused campaign can reverse its fortunes. The election is set for September 20, leaving just over two months for the CDU to regain ground.
