Berlin's Culture Senator Resigns Over Funding Scandal
Berlin's Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson resigned on Friday after a funding scandal involving €2.6 million allocated for combating antisemitism. The independent senator, nominated by the CDU, had approved 13 project applications against explicit concerns from her state secretary Oliver Friederici, violating the state budget code. Leaked chats revealed pressure from CDU MP Christian Goiny and faction leader Dirk Stettner to fast-track approvals. Wedl-Wilson had dismissed Friederici just before her own resignation. The state audit office found the process 'evidently unlawful'. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, who appointed Wedl-Wilson in May 2025, distanced himself but faces criticism for not intervening. Cerstin Richter-Kotowski, another state secretary, is tipped as successor. This marks the second culture senator to fail under Wegner ahead of Berlin's upcoming elections.
Key facts
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson resigned as Berlin's Culture Senator on Friday.
- The scandal involves €2.6 million in funding for antisemitism prevention.
- Wedl-Wilson approved 13 project applications against legal advice.
- Leaked chats show pressure from CDU MP Christian Goiny and faction leader Dirk Stettner.
- State secretary Oliver Friederici was fired by Wedl-Wilson before her resignation.
- The state audit office ruled the funding process 'evidently unlawful'.
- Governing Mayor Kai Wegner appointed Wedl-Wilson in May 2025.
- Cerstin Richter-Kotowski is expected to succeed Wedl-Wilson.
Entities
Institutions
- CDU
- SPD
- Tagesspiegel
- Landesrechnungshof
- Abgeordnetenhaus
- Musikhochschule Hanns Eisler
- Berlin Court of Auditors
- Greens
- Left Party
- Berlin House of Representatives
- University of Rostock
- Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Kultur
- Berlin State Audit Office
- Berlin Senate Department for Culture
- Berlin Court of Audit
- Der Freitag
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany