Spandau – Berlin’s secret center of power
Although the Spree is actually longer than the Havel, it is considered its tributary. And the fact that the Rotes Rathaus is located on Spandauer Straße is probably no coincidence either. In the repeat election it could become clear: Spandau is the secret political center of the capital. CDU top candidate Kai Wegner, the official governing mayor Bettina Jarasch (Greens) and the most powerful man in the SPD, Raed Saleh – they all have their constituency in Spandau.
The team from the Tagesspiegel Checkpoint reports with a Spandau special. How much state politics is done in Spandau? Why does everyone want to govern in Spandau? Which topics move the Spandau: inside? And why should a:e Berliner:in travel there? Guest: Spandau expert Andre Görke as co-moderator. Also present: Burkhard Kieker from Visit Berlin and campaign protagonists Raed Saleh (SPD), Kai Wegner (CDU) and Bettina Jarasch (Greens). Now here in the player* or at Spotify, Apple, deezer and wherever there is podcast are.
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Kai Wegner (CDU) says in the podcast when asked what Spandau is doing: “I live there.” And seriously: “Spandau is an outskirts with many problems because politicians have ignored the outskirts in recent years. “As a suburb, Spandau is particularly dependent on good connections to the rest of the city.
Could mobility play a central role in the election campaign? A chance for Bettina Jarasch (Greens), who has to compete in Spandau in the repeat election? When asked what makes Spandau special, the transport senator already says: “Spandau has fewer cycle paths than all other districts. Unfortunately, the SPD and CDU have been refusing the mobility turnaround for years. This election offers a real chance to end this business-as-usual.”
And the third in the bunch? In the podcast, Raed Saleh (SPD) turns out to be an external reporter for a short time and, instead of answering the questions for him, conducts a quick survey among the Spandau: inside. That fits his image as a calculating power politician. “Of course I want power, because power means being able to shape things,” he said recently Tagesspiegel interview.
“Berliner & Pfannkuchen” is the podcast for Berlin connoisseurs and everyone who wants to become one. We’ll tell you what was important this week, what (didn’t) happen in the capital and which topic was the most argued, laughed at, scolded or cheered about. With voices and background information from the best city in the world: every Friday at 4 p.m., just in time for the end of the administrative day. With Ann-Kathrin Hipp, Lorenz Maroldt and Anke Myrrhe. Editors: Joana Voss & Jessica Gummersbach. Production: the apparatus. Music: Anke Myrrhe. The consequences are there Spotify, Apple Podcasts and everywhere there are podcasts.
Last week the question was how safe Berlin’s Christmas markets are
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