Overview

• Joe Chialo resigned as Berlin's Culture Senator on May 2, citing the strain of significant budget cuts on the cultural sector.
• Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner is preparing to appoint Chialo's successor, with a decision expected shortly, according to his spokesperson.
• The German Cultural Council has recommended that Wegner assume the Culture Senator role himself, working closely with State Secretary Sarah Wedl-Wilson to navigate cultural policy challenges.
• Sarah Wedl-Wilson, a potential candidate for the position, faces legal hurdles due to her British and Austrian citizenship, as German law requires citizenship for such public offices.
• The cultural sector is grappling with a €130 million funding cut in 2025, part of a broader €3 billion austerity plan, with further reductions anticipated in 2026 and 2027.