Hannover prosecutors search properties of Berlin SPD candidate Steffen Krach

Search operations in Berlin and Hannover

On Wednesday morning, 9 September 2026, investigators from the Hannover public prosecutor's office searched three properties tied to Berlin SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach. The search targeted Krach's private flat in Berlin-Schöneberg, the Berlin SPD party headquarters in Wedding, and his former official office in Hannover. Krach reported that officers approached him outside his residence while he was on a phone call with the Berlin Interior Senator regarding the capital financing agreement, seizing his mobile phone directly from his ear. Officers remained in the apartment with his wife and two sons, aged 4 and 12, while Krach departed for a previously scheduled panel discussion on housing policy at the Paul-Gerhardt-Stift in Wedding. The Hannover public prosecutor's office confirmed the searches while citing the presumption of innocence and withholding specific details of the allegations.

Clinic procurement and returned donation

The investigation centres on suspected bribery connected to Krach's previous role as regional president of Hannover, an office he held from 2021 until taking leave in summer 2025. During his tenure in Hannover, Krach chaired the supervisory board of Klinikum der Region Hannover and proposed converting a local hospital site into a regional health centre. Suspicions involve a bidder who competed to operate the health facility and allegedly made a campaign donation to the Berlin SPD around the turn of 2025 and 2026. Krach rejected all accusations of bribery or undue influence during the public procurement process, stating that the €9,500 donation from the unsuccessful bidder was transferred back within 24 hours of receipt.

I have in no way ever accepted any sum from this bidder, neither privately nor as SPD state chair.

Notification within the Lower Saxony ministry

The proceedings also prompted scrutiny within the state government of Lower Saxony regarding prosecutorial notification procedures. Lower Saxony Justice Minister Kathrin Wahlmann was briefed by telephone at approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, though the identity of the accused was withheld during that initial call. Ministerial staff noted only that the probe concerned an SPD candidate in upcoming elections, leading Wahlmann to assume it involved a candidate in Lower Saxony's local elections. The minister received a formal written report naming Krach from the Hannover prosecution service at 08:00 on Wednesday morning. On the same day, prosecutors in Hannover also announced an investigation into CDU mayoral candidate Peter Karst regarding unpaid social security contributions for instructors at the Hannover Chamber of Crafts.

Campaign continuation before the September vote

Krach addressed the executive board and parliamentary group of the Berlin SPD on Wednesday evening to present his account of the case. Berlin Economy Senator Franziska Giffey confirmed that the party leadership accepted his explanations without doubt.

From the way Steffen Krach described everything yesterday, party members expressed their full solidarity and backing for him.

Krach affirmed that his campaign for the Berlin state parliament election on 20 September 2026 will proceed as planned. His immediate itinerary includes a joint appearance with federal SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil and a debate hosted by Fridays for Future featuring climate activist Luisa Neubauer. Pre-election surveys have placed the Berlin SPD between 11% and 15% ahead of the vote.

I will continue to campaign here in Berlin over the next eleven days.