How a repeat election reshaped the political landscape of Germany's capital city in 2023

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Following a repeat state election in February 2023, Berlin underwent a significant political shift. The Christian Democratic Union surged to the lead, prompting the formation of a grand coalition with the Social Democratic Party. This transition ended the previous governing alliance and installed Kai Wegner as the new Governing Mayor.

The 2023 Berlin repeat state election, held on 12 February, fundamentally altered the city's governance. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) achieved a decisive result, climbing from the third position to the top spot with 28 percent of the vote, representing a ten percentage point increase. Conversely, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) saw its support drop to 18.5 percent, narrowly maintaining a lead of only 53 votes over the Greens. While the outgoing coalition of the SPD, the Left, and the Greens technically held a reduced majority, the political momentum shifted toward a new partnership.

On 1 March, the SPD membership voted 25 to 12 to pursue negotiations with the CDU. This process lasted from 13 March until 3 April, culminating in a 135-page coalition agreement. The deal faced a membership vote within the SPD, where it secured approval with 54.3 percent of the vote on a 64 percent turnout. The results were confirmed on 23 April, clearing the path for the formation of the 29th Senate of Berlin.

Kai Wegner was elected as Governing Mayor by the Abgeordnetenhaus on 27 April 2023. His path to office was not immediate; he required three ballots to secure the position. In the final vote, he received 86 votes out of 159 cast, with 70 votes against him and three abstentions. The resulting government includes ten senators: five from the SPD, four from the CDU, and one independent nominee from the CDU. Shortly after taking office, the administration established the position of Queer Berlin Liaison Officer in May 2023, marking one of its early policy initiatives.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Why Berlin had to repeat its entire state election after a chaotic 2021 vote
• The 2016 Berlin state election reshaped the city's political landscape and governing coalition.
• The 2011 Berlin election reshaped the city's power, ending a red-red coalition government.
• The 2026 Saxony-Anhalt election: A surge in turnout and a political earthquake
• The 2026 Rhineland-Palatinate election marked a significant shift in the state's political landscape
• Why this literary giant abandoned New York City to become a small-scale farmer
• The high cost of maintaining a perfect suburban facade
• From Apache pilot to Congress: the multifaceted career of Wesley Hunt
• The invisible architecture of human knowledge is built on citations.
• The character intended to die after just nine episodes became a tragic icon
• How a specialized police unit spiraled into systemic corruption
• How a 1965 riot helped lay the foundations for West Coast hip-hop

More in Traditions & customs · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics