Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner, faces growing scrutiny and accusations of disengagement following the city’s recent widespread power outage. Confirmed by the Senator’s Chancellery in response to inquiries from Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), Wegner reportedly played tennis during the Saturday disruption impacting nearly 20,000 households and 850 businesses across several southwestern districts.
The revelation directly contradicts Wegner’s public statements made Sunday, wherein he asserted constant involvement in crisis management. He claimed to have been “on the phone all day” coordinating efforts and ensuring optimal information flow and that he had “locked himself away in his office, in the truest sense of the word”. This portrayal now appears to clash sharply with the documented reality of his activities during a critical period for affected residents and businesses.
The power failure, ultimately attributed to arson damage to a crucial cable bridge over the Teltow Canal, prompted significant hardship and disruption. While the expedited repair work-initially slated for Thursday afternoon-was welcomed, the focus has shifted to Wegner’s perceived lack of responsibility. Critics accuse him of attempting to obfuscate his actions and presenting a false image of leadership during a time of urgent need.
The incident fuels a broader debate about the expectations placed on political leaders during crises. Questions are being raised regarding the transparency and accountability of Berlin’s city administration, particularly given the significant inconvenience experienced by those without power for several days. Opposition parties are demanding a full accounting of Wegner’s whereabouts and activities during the outage, suggesting a potential breach of public trust and calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his statements. The incident has undoubtedly damaged Wegner’s image and presents a political challenge for the CDU.