Berlin, September 10th, 2026 (The Berlin Spectator) – Steffen Krach, the center-left SPD’s top candidate for the Berlin House of Representatives election, says he intends to continue his campaign despite an ongoing investigation by prosecutors in Hannover. “I will keep fighting for every vote for the SPD,” he told reporters in Berlin, while acknowledging the probe was taking a toll on his campaign.
Krach said he wanted to focus on the challenges facing Berlin, including the housing shortage, and on his argument that the Left Party (Die Linke) is not fit to govern and that the CDU has proven unreliable in recent years. “Unfortunately, all of that is now being pushed into the background,” he said.
Prosecutors in Hannover are investigating Krach, who previously served as Regional President in Hannover. The prosecutor’s office has not detailed the specific allegations against him and pointed to the presumption of innocence. On Wednesday, several properties in Hannover and Berlin were searched.
Independence of the Judiciary
Asked repeatedly by journalists about the timing of the investigation, just ten days before the September 20th election, Krach said he did not want to pass judgment on the prosecutors’ actions. “I am not implying anything about the prosecutor’s office,” he said. “I am an absolutely convinced democrat and I believe in the independence of the judiciary.”
He added that he was nonetheless “surprised” by the timing of the search of his home. “I don’t know what they were looking for there, under my children’s beds or in the car,” he said. Authorities seized his phone, which he said he may get back soon, along with old family phones and an iPad. He said he did not have a full overview of what was taken.
In a separate appearance, Krach firmly dismissed suggestions that he had personally profited in connection with the matter under investigation. “I reject that accusation in the strongest terms,” the 47 year old said. “I have never accepted money privately. And I have also never accepted a donation as SPD chairman here in Berlin.”
Tender Process for Hospital
The investigation reportedly relates to a tender process for a hospital site in the Hannover region, where Krach has taken leave from his role as Regional President to campaign in Berlin. He said the bidder he had favored ultimately did not win the contract, and that he was never directly involved in the contract negotiations.
“I have not accepted a donation from this company,” Krach said. “And I will say this quite openly. The accusation of enrichment affects me very personally, because I have always drawn clear lines throughout the twelve years I have held political responsibility.”
Krach appeared visibly moved as he described how his young son had witnessed the raid on the family home. He declined to comment on whether he considered the search proportionate, but said, “I do want to say this: I have small children at home. And when eight or nine people suddenly search the entire apartment, that has an effect on small children. We told our four year old son that those were police cleaning staff who were there to tidy up.”
Unlawful Advantage
Prosecutors have declined to specify the exact allegations against Krach, citing the presumption of innocence. The searches in Hannover and Berlin took place on Wednesday.
Only hours later, the “Tagesspiegel” daily reported, two investigations were being contucted against Krach. Apart from the party donation case, he is being suspected of “allegation of accepting an unlawful advantage”, which is the translation of a German legal term.
Berlin will elect a new House of Representatives in a week and a half, on September 20th. Krach moved from Hannover to Berlin in the summer of 2025 to become the SPD’s top candidate, taking leave from his post as Regional President to do so.
