Berlin culture senator resigns over illegal antisemitism grants
On May 4, 2026, Sarah Wedl-Wilson, Berlin's culture senator, stepped down following a ruling by the Berlin State Court of Auditors that declared €2.6 million in public funding for projects aimed at combating antisemitism as illegal. The funds were allocated to thirteen projects without proper regulatory oversight, breaching budgetary laws. Wedl-Wilson submitted her resignation to Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU), and Finance Senator Stefan Evers (CDU, 46) was named as the interim replacement until the elections in September 2026. A dual citizen of Britain and Austria, the 57-year-old had a background in arts management and entered politics in April 2023, becoming a senator in May 2025. The controversy stemmed from a parliamentary inquiry that uncovered pressure from CDU members to release funds without adequate checks.
Key facts
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson resigned as Berlin culture senator on May 4, 2026.
- The Berlin State Court of Auditors deemed €2.6 million in subsidies for antisemitism projects illegal.
- 13 projects received funds without regulatory checks, violating budget law.
- Wedl-Wilson served only eleven months as senator.
- CDU politicians Christian Goiny and Dirk Stettner compiled a project list coordinated with the Israeli embassy.
- State Secretary Oliver Friederici warned of legal risks and was fired days before Wedl-Wilson's resignation.
- Stefan Evers (CDU) appointed interim culture senator until September 2026 elections.
- Wedl-Wilson previously led the Kölner Philharmonie, Schloss Elmau, and Innsbruck Festival of Early Music.
Entities
Artists
- René Jacobs
Institutions
- Berlin State Court of Auditors
- CDU
- Kölner Philharmonie
- Schloss Elmau
- Innsbruck Festival of Early Music
- Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin
- Israeli embassy
- Berlin Parliament
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Austria
- Innsbruck