Berlin Culture Senator Resigns Over Antisemitism Funding Scandal
Berlin's culture senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson has requested dismissal after a state audit found her administration illegally awarded millions in funding for antisemitism prevention projects. The Berlin Court of Auditors ruled on Thursday that the culture department violated budget laws by lacking criteria and arbitrarily selecting projects. Wedl-Wilson, who took office on May 22, 2025, said she stepped down to prevent damage to the fight against rising antisemitism. The controversy involves CDU lawmakers who pushed for rapid funding of specific projects, leading to accusations of undue influence from the Greens and Left parties. An investigative committee was established in December. This marks the third resignation from Mayor Kai Wegner's cabinet since April 2023, following Verkehrssenatorin Manja Schreiner in April 2024 and former culture senator Joe Chialo in May 2025. Berlin's state election is scheduled for September 20.
Key facts
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson requested dismissal as Berlin culture senator
- Berlin Court of Auditors found funding for antisemitism projects illegal
- Funding lacked criteria and involved arbitrary project selection
- CDU lawmakers pressured for rapid funding of specific projects
- Greens and Left accuse CDU lawmakers of undue influence
- Investigative committee established in December
- Wedl-Wilson took office on May 22, 2025
- Third resignation from Kai Wegner's cabinet since April 2023
- Berlin state election on September 20
Entities
Institutions
- Berlin Court of Auditors
- CDU
- SPD
- Greens
- Left Party
- Berlin House of Representatives
- University of Rostock
- Berlin State Audit Office
- Berlin Senate Department for Culture
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany