Overview
- Kai Wegner barred the inter‑district campaign in a letter, warning the format could appear to involve inducement or bribery.
- The plan involved 11 of 12 districts collecting coffee packages, with local retailers pledging €2,500 per 500 packs for Kältehilfe.
- Friedrichshain‑Kreuzberg escalated legal doubts to the state trust lawyer, who referred the matter to the anti‑corruption office, which advised seeking Senate approval.
- After the prohibition and online accusations, participating entrepreneurs withdrew their public donation pledges.
- The chancellery proposed decoupling official collection from corporate donations, and Neukölln will still accept coffee drop‑offs Jan 19–Feb 5 at municipal sites.