By Hildburg Bruns and Stefan Peter
On Thursday afternoon, Kai Wegner (50) was elected the new governing mayor of Berlin. BZ accompanied him on his first real day at work.
8:56 a.m. The armored Audi A8 rolls up in the courtyard of the Red City Hall. The new landlord gets out at the back on the right. Kai Wegner slept little and was already standing in front of cameras and microphones.
Until the night he signed his deeds of appointment, then to his deputies in a pizzeria on Leipziger Platz. And at 5 o’clock the alarm clock rang.
At Wittenbergplatz, Wegner shook many hands with the police officers and thanked them for their work Photo: Fabian Matzerath
Of course, his wobbly choice is still in his bones until the third attempt: “Not a good start. That could have gone better. It is all the more important that we work through the 135 pages of the coalition agreement in order to convince the Berliners and, to be honest, also one or two critics in our own ranks.”
Also from the CDU? Wegner to BZ: “The gap in the first ballot was very large, you have to admit that. I’m looking ahead: How do we manage to convince the critics?”
Selfies almost every minute: Wegner enjoyed bathing in the crowd Photo: Fabian Matzerath
first act: He distributes the documents to the new state secretaries. First event outside of the town hall: Israel Day at Wittenbergplatz. Wegner gives a speech on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the state. “The deep friendship between Israel and Germany is a great gift for us.” He announces: “One of my first business trips will take me to Israel.”
At the stand of the Jewish sports association Makkabi, Wegner hugged old acquaintances and was given a T-shirt Photo: Fabian Matzerath
Then Wegner goes from stand to stand. It becomes a dip in the crowd. He hardly makes any progress and is asked again and again for a photo. Lala Süsskind (77) pinned a badge (“Solidarity against hatred”) to his lapel. “He’s a very sociable, likeable guy,” she enthuses.
When Wegner is asked about the three ballots, he says: “Anyone can do it.”
Lala Süsskind (77, ex-chairman of the Jewish community) pinned a badge (“Solidarity against hatred”) to his lapel Photo: Fabian Matzerath
Eberhard Schwartz (74): raves about the new ruler: “Unlike other people, he listens to people and doesn’t just make a show.” Joachim Kelsch (68): “I hope he irons out some of what the previous Senate screwed up.”
Wegner on Friday between two appointments in his office in the Red City Hall Photo: Fabian Matzerath
Does Wegner have a weekend off now? “It takes a very, very long time before I’m free again,” he reveals to the BZ
When addressed as a ruler: “It is as if lightning went through the body. You worked a long time for it, it was intense months. I may have to get used to it, but it sounds damn good.”
Flowers for the new Senate
Disoriented? What are they looking for…
They had just been appointed as senators when they stood on the stage with their heads bowed. Everyone had bouquets of tulips, daisies and poppies in their hands – white and red in the colors of Berlin.
Search image in the Coat of Arms Hall of the Red City Hall Photo: Ralf Gunther
Were there vases hidden somewhere?
No! Markers were stuck on the floor so that everyone could find the perfect spot.
The next morning, however, all GroKo women and men found their new jobs: the handover of office took place in the Senate authorities. The first regular Senate session will start on Tuesday.