Overview

• Sarah Wedl-Wilson was sworn in as Berlin’s Culture Senator on May 22 after serving as Culture State Secretary under Joe Chialo.
• Wedl-Wilson told Spiegel there was “no real collaboration” with her predecessor and emphasized their differing views on cooperation with the cultural sector.
• The Berlin Senate’s austerity plan slashed the 2025 cultural budget and schedules further cuts for 2026 and 2027.
• Artists and institutions held loud protests against the reductions, criticizing a lack of consultation and transparency.
• Wedl-Wilson says all stakeholders must share the burden of fiscal consolidation and she will rebuild trust through sustained dialogue.