Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner admitted playing tennis on the first day of a major power outage, while thousands suffered without electricity and heating. The incident, triggered by a suspected arson attack by left-extremist groups, has sparked sharp criticism and calls for his resignation. Wegner insists he remained reachable and continued working.
On Saturday morning, an arson attack on a cable bridge in Berlin's southwest, specifically in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district, occurred, claimed by a left-extremist group. This caused a power outage for initially 45,000 households and 2,200 companies, affecting around 100,000 people. Residents were left without heating, internet, and mobile reception in the middle of winter. Berlin declared a major incident and requested assistance from the Bundeswehr.
Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU, 53) was informed shortly after 8 a.m. and made calls to the Chancellery, Interior Ministry, and senate administrations to organize aid. He credits himself for securing quick federal support, including from the Bundeswehr. However, he was not on site that morning. Instead, from 1 to 2 p.m., he played tennis with his partner, Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU), to "clear his head." Wegner told Welt TV: "I was reachable the whole time, even while playing tennis. The phone was on loud; I drove back immediately afterward and continued working."
On Sunday, Wegner visited an emergency shelter for the first time and responded to journalists: "I neither got bored yesterday nor put my feet up; I was on the phone all day trying to coordinate and inform myself as best as possible, because I think that helps people more." Later, he admitted to RBB: "In retrospect, I should have said on Sunday what I did on Saturday, but honestly, my focus was on the 45,000 households."
The outage lasted until Wednesday, when Stromnetz Berlin fully restored power. Wegner's actions sparked outrage. AfD leader Kristin Brinker and FDP politicians demanded his resignation, saying he did not take the crisis seriously. Left party state chairman Maximilian Schirmer stated: "Anyone who prefers playing tennis rather than being with people in their greatest need should consider if this job is still right for them." SPD top candidate Steffen Krach criticized: "Kai Wegner probably didn't play tennis in his locked home office." Greens candidate Werner Graf emphasized higher expectations for the mayor. Wegner dismissed resignation demands: "I can't prevent the opposition from saying that now."
Eight months before the state parliament election on September 20, the incident provides ammunition for the opposition in the campaign. Wegner had previously faced criticism for his delayed on-site appearance, as there was no reception in the crisis area.
