Stefan Evers Champions Budget Reform and Austerity Ahead of Berlin 2026 Elections

Stefan Evers, the CDU's designated top candidate for the Berlin House of Representatives election scheduled for September 20, 2026, is advocating for a significant shift in Berlin's budgetary policy. Currently serving as Finance Senator and overseeing the cultural department, Evers has expressed the urgent need for fiscal consolidation in Berlin, stating, “We cannot continue to spend more money than we earn.”

Evers emphasizes balancing prudent austerity measures with strategic investments in areas where the city faces unmet needs. He argues for cutting expenditures in certain sectors, including opposing the SPD’s plan to offer free school meals to affluent families, calling it unfair. Furthermore, he criticizes expensive regulations concerning construction and data protection, insisting the city can no longer afford such financial burdens.

Addressing urban challenges, Evers highlights increasing litter problems and calls for stricter enforcement, including fines and additional personnel, advocating for greater civic responsibility. He also strongly opposes the policies of the Left Party, which he asserts threaten the social market economy and have worsened Berlin’s housing shortage. Instead of debating expropriations and nationalizations, Evers favors investing in infrastructure and housing development.

Despite his clear stance as a modern conservative aiming to prevent a left-green government in Berlin, the CDU faces formidable challenges in public support. Current polls place the party fourth with only 17% backing, trailing behind the Left, Greens, and AfD. This comes amid the backdrop of the previous CDU candidate, Kai Wegner’s, resignation following controversies linked to his handling of a power outage crisis.

Evers positions himself as a reform-minded candidate prioritizing fiscal responsibility and urban improvement while opposing policies he deems economically unsound or socially unjust. His campaign focuses on recalibrating Berlin’s budget, improving public services, and reshaping the political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.