Berlin remains in a state of “major damage” following widespread power outages that crippled the southwestern region of the capital, authorities confirmed Wednesday. Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) stated the emergency declaration, initiated earlier this week, will remain in effect until officially lifted by her office, emphasizing the severity of the ongoing recovery efforts.
The incidents, initially attributed to vandalism targeting electricity substations, are now under investigation by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, signifying a potential escalation in the case’s complexity and significance. Senator Spranger condemned the perpetrators’ actions as “inhuman” highlighting the deliberate endangerment of vulnerable populations, particularly elderly residents, as a key element of the investigation. She also revealed ongoing communication with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz), suggesting a potential connection to politically motivated extremism.
Adding a contentious political dimension to the crisis, Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) has asserted that the events constitute not a mere act of arson but a “terrorist attack” perpetrated by a left-wing extremist organization. Wegner’s characterization has drawn criticism from some quarters, with opposition politicians questioning the premature and potentially divisive labeling of the incident. While authorities acknowledge the ongoing investigation is crucial to definitively determine the perpetrators’ motives and organizational affiliation, Wegner’s claim immediately politicized the response, prompting debate about the appropriate language to use and the potential for exploiting the situation for political gain. The swift transfer of the investigation to federal authorities, combined with the politicized statements from city leaders, underscores the gravity of the situation and the ongoing concerns surrounding potential political motivations behind the infrastructure attacks.