Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey has abandoned her reelection campaign after a scandal involving the use of a city-funded tennis court for private lessons, known as 'Tennis Gate'. The controversy, which erupted last month, has severely damaged her reputation and led to calls for her resignation from opposition parties.
Details of the Scandal
The scandal began when it was revealed that Giffey had used a publicly funded tennis court at the Berlin Sports Forum for private coaching sessions. The court, which costs €200 per hour to maintain, was booked under her official capacity. According to documents obtained by local media, Giffey used the facility at least 12 times over a six-month period, totaling €2,400 in public funds.
Giffey's Response
In a press conference on Thursday, Giffey admitted to using the court but claimed it was a 'misunderstanding' and that she had intended to pay for the sessions. 'I deeply regret this error in judgment. I have already reimbursed the full amount to the city,' she said. However, the opposition has dismissed her apology as insufficient, with the Green Party calling for a full investigation.
Impact on Reelection Campaign
Giffey, who was seeking a second term as mayor, announced the suspension of her campaign effective immediately. 'I cannot allow this distraction to hinder the work of the city government,' she stated. Polls had shown her trailing behind her main rival, Kai Wegner of the Christian Democratic Union, by 8 percentage points prior to the scandal.
Political Fallout
The scandal has also affected the Social Democratic Party (SPD), of which Giffey is a member. Party leaders have expressed disappointment but have not called for her resignation from office. 'We respect her decision to step back from the campaign,' said SPD spokesperson Lena Müller. 'But we expect her to continue serving as mayor until the election.'
Next Steps
The Berlin election is scheduled for October 2026. With Giffey out of the race, the SPD will need to nominate a new candidate. Potential contenders include current Senator for Finance, Daniel Wesener, and former Senator for Education, Sandra Scheeres. The opposition has called for an early election, but the city government has ruled this out.
