Overview

• Joe Chialo requested immediate release from his role as Berlin's Culture Senator, citing deep cuts to the cultural budget as the primary reason.
• The 2025 cultural budget faces €130 million in cuts, amounting to 12% of its original allocation, with warnings of closures of major cultural institutions.
• Chialo stated that the additional reductions undermine existing plans and professional goals, making his role untenable.
• The Greens and Left Party have urged Mayor Kai Wegner to assume direct responsibility for cultural policy and lead upcoming budget negotiations.
• Chialo's resignation follows his exclusion from a federal Culture State Minister post, which went to Wolfram Weimer earlier this week.