Public Prosecutor's Office searches three properties of top SPD candidate Steffen Krach
The Hanover Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating Steffen Krach, the top candidate for the Berlin SPD for the office of Governing Mayor. On Wednesday, three properties were searched: two in Berlin and one in Hanover. According to consistent reports, the locations in Berlin were the politician's apartment in Schöneberg and the SPD state party headquarters in Wedding, while the location in Hanover was the business premises of the Hanover Region. The accusation is bribery. The authorities did not comment on the details for tactical investigative reasons.
At the core of the matter is Krach's previous position. From the end of 2021 to the beginning of 2026, he was President of the Hanover Region, a municipal association of 21 municipalities with around 1.2 million inhabitants. He took a leave of absence for the Berlin election campaign. According to media reports, there is a suspicion that he may have received a donation from a healthcare provider in order to advocate for this provider in a bidding process. The procurement process for the sale of the former hospital site in Lehrte is being mentioned. This connection has not yet been confirmed by the public prosecutor's office.
Krach himself has not yet commented. His party rejects the allegations. A spokesperson for the Berlin SPD stated: "We reject the allegations in the strongest possible terms." They added that they would cooperate fully with the authorities to clarify the facts.
Important for context: The presumption of innocence applies. A search is an investigative measure and not proof of guilt. It requires an initial suspicion, not a proven act. Whether charges will be filed at all remains open at this time.
The timing is politically sensitive. The Berlin House of Representatives will be elected on September 20, and local elections are taking place in Lower Saxony this coming Sunday. If you are eligible to vote in Berlin, read this news as what it currently is: an ongoing proceeding without a determined outcome. You can continue to request postal voting documents from your district election office. A vote that has already been cast cannot be withdrawn.