Berlin SPD candidate Steffen Krach slams Markus Söder and Kai Wegner

Steffen Krach, the SPD’s lead candidate for Berlin’s upcoming state election, has launched sharp attacks on two senior politicians. He labeled Bavarian CSU leader Markus Söder “the biggest reform blocker in the country,” accusing the minister‑president of neglecting the costly “mother’s pension” and opposing the SPD‑backed pension commission proposals. Krach called for renegotiation of the commission’s 33 recommendations, including adjustments to the retirement age and a mandatory capital‑based pension scheme.

Krach also targeted Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner, accusing the CDU mayor of inertia on key city issues such as affordable housing, economic development, family‑friendly policies, health services and public safety. He described Wegner as “the most ambitious‑less government chief in Germany,” and gave the mayor a failing grade for his three‑year term, adding a sarcastic remark about Wegner’s tennis skills during a past power outage.

Both critiques are part of Krach’s campaign strategy to portray the ruling coalition partners as out of touch ahead of the September 20 election.