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Bundeskanzleramt Says No Merz‑Wegner Call and Wegner Quits CDU Spitzenkandidacy

The office's disclosure has deepened questions about political credibility in Berlin and prompted party leadership changes.

Overview

  • The Bundeskanzleramt reported that, so far as records show, Chancellor Friedrich Merz did not personally or by phone speak with Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner during the January 2026 power outage, a disclosure that intensified scrutiny of Wegner's account.
  • Following the disclosure, Kai Wegner withdrew as the CDU's Spitzenkandidat for the Berlin election and gave up the party's state chair post while remaining Governing Mayor.
  • Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon title in a four‑set final against Alexander Zverev, where Chancellor Merz sat in the Royal Box and later visited Zverev in the locker room.
  • Police and prosecutors opened active inquiries after two public‑safety incidents: a man was run over during a large parking‑lot fight in Offenburg with four people provisionally detained and a car seized, and a press vehicle at the Tour de France finish in Ussel broke through barriers and injured eight people.
  • German clubs confirmed several roster moves that reflect tight budgets: FC Schalke 04 said Michael Langer will stay at the club in a non‑playing role, Kevin Müller was signed permanently and Soufiane El‑Faouzi extended his contract, while Darmstadt sold Killian Corredor to FC Nantes for about €1 million.