Vacation, Laughs, Tennis Game - Political Blunders and Their Consequences - Berlin mayor under fire for tennis match during citywide blackout crisis
Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner, is facing sharp criticism for playing tennis during a major power outage crisis. The blackout, caused by a suspected arson attack on the city’s grid, left thousands without electricity. Opponents have accused him of misleading the public about his whereabouts while the emergency unfolded.
This is not the first time a German politician has drawn backlash for perceived missteps during a crisis. Past incidents involving high-profile figures like Armin Laschet and Rudolf Scharping have shown how personal conduct can spark public outrage and damage political careers.
The blackout struck southwestern Berlin on a Saturday, leaving residents without power for hours. Wegner claimed he was at home coordinating the response all day. However, reports later revealed he had spent an hour playing tennis between 1 and 2 PM. When questioned, he did not mention the match, fuelling accusations of dishonesty. Critics, including SPD’s Steffen Krach, the Greens, Left, AfD, and FDP, argued that his actions showed a lack of leadership during an emergency.
Wegner is not alone in facing such scrutiny. In July 2021, Armin Laschet, then a candidate for chancellor, was filmed laughing in a flood-stricken area while President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered a solemn address to victims. The moment went viral, costing Laschet public support and contributing to his party’s defeat in the federal election two months later. Anne Spiegel, the federal family minister, resigned in April 2022 after taking a four-week family holiday in France just ten days after the deadly Ahr Valley floods. The timing of her trip sparked outrage, as many saw it as a failure to prioritise disaster recovery. Rudolf Scharping’s career also suffered after Bunte magazine published photos of him relaxing by a pool in Mallorca in July 2002. At the time, the government was debating the deployment of German troops to Macedonia. The images reinforced perceptions of detachment, and he was dismissed shortly after. Christine Lambrecht stepped down as defence minister in January 2023 following widespread criticism of her leadership. A photo of her son joining her on a military helicopter became a symbol of her perceived lack of judgement, further eroding confidence in her role.
Power has since been restored to the affected areas of Berlin. Wegner’s handling of the crisis, however, has left lasting questions about accountability and transparency. Past cases show that public trust can be difficult to regain once lost, with political consequences often following such controversies.
