Power struggle

“The end of an era” - this is how the German media commented on the departure from his post of one of the most recognizable politicians in Germany, the mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit. Yesterday he officially left a position he held continuously for 13 years, longer than any other head of the capital. Let us remember that one of the reasons for Mr. Wowereit’s departure was the decline in his popularity, including due to long-term construction - the new Willy Brandt Airport, which has not yet been commissioned. Nevertheless, yesterday's headlines in German newspapers were filled with almost declarations of love for the outgoing mayor, who has done a lot to attract tourists and investors to Berlin. “The one who taught Germany to love Berlin,” this is how the conservative Die Welt commented on Klaus Wowereit’s departure.

New Berlin mayor Michael Müller (left) and his predecessor Klaus Wowereit (right)
Photo: Fabrizio Bensch, Reuters

49-year-old Michael Müller, a fellow party member of Klaus Wowereit in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), has become the new mayor of Berlin. The corresponding decision was made in October at an internal party vote by more than 17 thousand members of the Berlin branch of the SPD (see Kommersant on October 20). Yesterday, the Berlin Chamber of Deputies officially confirmed Mr. Müller in office by an absolute majority of votes. During the ceremony on the main staircase of the Berlin City Hall, he was greeted by a guard of honor of 16 city chimney sweeps, whose activities he supervised in his post as head of the main city planning department.

Galina Dudina

Berlin has replaced its mayor