Summary
Overview
In this extensive interview, Steffen Krach, SPD's top candidate for Berlin's mayoral election and regional president of Hannover, discusses his political platform focused on housing, public safety, transportation, and urban development. He defends his approach to Berlin's housing crisis through rent controls and enforcement rather than expropriation, addresses public safety concerns, and outlines his vision for making Berlin more affordable and livable while navigating tensions between party positions and his personal policy preferences.
Background and Qualifications for Berlin Mayor
Steffen Krach introduces himself as SPD's top candidate and party chair for Berlin, currently on unpaid leave from his position as regional president of Hannover where he managed a 4,000-person administration for 1.2 million residents. He discusses his Berlin roots despite being born in Hannover, his previous seven years as state secretary for science and research in Berlin, and his current financial situation living without income during the campaign. His experience managing regional governance, public transport, healthcare, and climate initiatives in Hannover positions him as qualified for Berlin's top office.
- Krach is SPD's top candidate and party chair since May 8th, currently on unpaid leave from his Hannover position
- He managed a 4,000-person administration in Hannover for 1.2 million residents, responsible for public transport, healthcare, climate, and economic development
- Previously served seven years as state secretary for science and research in Berlin under Michael Müller
- Currently living without income, relying on savings and his wife's salary while campaigning
" Ich bin in Hannover geboren, 1979, bin jetzt 47 Jahre alt, bin aber 2002 nach Berlin gezogen, habe hier studiert, hatte hier meinen ersten Job, meine Kinder sind hier geboren, habe meine Frau kennengelernt, wir haben hier geheiratet und Hannover ist mein Geburtsort. "
" Ich kriege gerade kein Gehalt. Und das läuft auch aus und es wird da neu gewählt. "
Public Safety, Policing, and U-Bahn Security
Krach addresses Berlin's safety concerns, particularly in the U-Bahn system, acknowledging that while he personally doesn't feel unsafe as a white heterosexual man, many women, Muslims, and Jews report feeling threatened. He proposes a mix of measures including increased police presence, better lighting, civil courage, and occasional video surveillance rather than blanket coverage. On police staffing, he supports better equipment and potentially more personnel while also relieving police of minor tasks, and acknowledges the city needs federal support given Berlin's unique security demands as the capital.
- U7, U8, U2, and U5 are considered dangerous lines by some groups, though Krach doesn't personally feel the threat
- Proposed solutions include fostering civil courage, security services, police presence, and improved lighting in underpasses
- Berlin has increased police numbers in recent years but crime rates haven't decreased proportionally
- Police work excessive overtime and need federal support given Berlin's role as capital with numerous demonstrations and state visits
" Ich spüre diese Gefahr nicht. Ich bin aber auch ein weißer Mann und heterosexuell. Deswegen spüre ich diese Gefahr nicht, aber ich höre von ganz vielen Menschen, von Frauen, von vielen Menschen, von Muslimen, von Jüdinnen und Juden, von ganz vielen unterschiedlichen, dass sie sich in der einen oder anderen U-Bahn nicht mehr wohlfühlen. "
" Ich will ja auch nicht, dass an jeder Ecke Polizisten stehen. Das sollte in Deutschland nicht der Fall sein. "
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