German prosecutors investigate Berlin SPD mayoral candidate Steffen Krach over Hannover tender

Criminal inquiry and search operations

The Hannover public prosecutor's office opened a formal investigation into Steffen Krach, the lead candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) for the Berlin state parliament election, on 3 September 2026. Law enforcement operations became public on 9 September 2026, eleven days before the scheduled Berlin vote. Investigators conducted searches across multiple properties, including Krach's private apartment in Berlin, his administrative offices in Hannover, and the state headquarters of the Berlin SPD. Authorities seized electronic data storage media and Krach's mobile phone, which are undergoing digital forensic analysis. Krach took a formal leave of absence from his role as Hannover regional president on 23 March 2026 following his nomination as Berlin lead candidate in summer 2025.

Property tender for Lehrte hospital site

The investigation centres on the procurement and repurposing of a former clinic site in Lehrte, near Hannover. Krach chaired the supervisory board of Klinikum Region Hannover during his time as Hannover regional president. During the tender process, two competing companies submitted offers to acquire and develop the medical real estate. One of the competing bidders transferred a political donation of 9,900 euros to the Berlin SPD, where Krach was serving as interim regional leader. Krach stated that he arranged for the 9,900 euro sum to be refunded in early January 2026, adding that the supervisory board chose the rival bidder on 19 February 2026 in a vote where he abstained.

Formal corruption allegations and defence

On 10 September 2026, prosecutors detailed the initial suspicions facing Krach. The allegations comprise two counts of accepting advantages, along with anti-competitive bid agreements, breach of trade secrets, and violation of confidentiality obligations under the Limited Liability Companies Act. Krach stated that he had advocated for the donor's proposal because the company guaranteed the establishment of a regional health centre with extensive investment, but insisted he had no private dealings with the entrepreneur during the tender. He noted that the hospital management board conducted all contract negotiations independently. Krach maintained his innocence following the publication of the charges.

“I reject them emphatically, they do not apply.”

Election timing and political reactions

The execution of search warrants occurred four days before municipal elections in Lower Saxony and shortly before the Berlin Abgeordnetenhaus election on 20 September 2026. Berlin Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey called the timing of the investigative steps very special. Christian Becker, a criminal law professor at the University of Bremen, noted that pre-election search operations require strict judicial proportionality to prevent undue influence on voting outcomes.

“A search must also always be proportionate, which establishes a thoroughly high hurdle, especially for private apartments.”

The procedural scrutiny comes as polling surveys by ARD and ZDF show the Berlin SPD in fifth place with 10% to 12% support. The surveys place Die Linke in the lead at 21% to 23%, followed by the CDU at 20% to 21%, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) at 17% to 18%, and the Green Party at 16%.