Overview
- Designated lead candidate Steffen Krach said he expects strong support at Saturday’s Berlin SPD state party congress.
- Neukölln co-SPD chief Martin Hikel drew 68.5% in a district vote for the top candidacy, then said he would not run for district mayor.
- The Neukölln delegates’ meeting was aborted after Hikel’s withdrawal, underscoring internal tensions.
- Krach is centering his campaign on security and public order, highlighting the SPD’s responsibility in government and criticizing the CDU’s stance.
- Local analysis notes a recurring SPD pattern of elevating leaders and later undercutting them, with figures such as Nicola Böcker-Giannini and Franziska Giffey reportedly lacking list protection and needing direct wins to return to the Abgeordnetenhaus.