Is Berlin — the European capital still synonymous with anarchists, cheap rent, squats, and May Day riots — poised to be ruled by the Conservative CDU party as of Monday (13 February)?
In theory, it seems implausible, not least because the city of 3.6m people is currently governed by a Red/Red/Green [SPD/Left/Green] coalition, reflecting its international reputation as one of the most leftwing cities in Europe.
But in reality, the CDU revolution is a distinct possibility, even a likelihood.
The latest polls put the CDU narrowly in pole position, on 24-26 percent, compared to the SPD and Greens, both on 19 percent.
If that translates into votes at Sunday’s (12 February) re-run city-state election, it will see the CDU’s Kai Wegner as mayor.
He could then rule in a coalition with possibly the Greens and liberal FDP party, or even a grand coalition with a second- (or third) place defeated SPD.
For a city ruled by the centre-left SPD for more than two decades, famously under the charismatic Klaus Wowereit, who coined the phrase “Poor — But Sexy” to encapsulate Berlin’s bohemian spirit, it would be a catastrophic loss of face.
Matt Tempest