Berlin’s culture senator has dismissed her state secretary following allegations of improper fund allocation in antisemitism prevention programs, according to verified reports from German media outlets.
Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson announced the removal of Oliver Friederici from his position as state secretary for societal cohesion in the culture administration on April 21, 2026, citing an unpublished audit report from Berlin’s state comptroller that raised concerns about grant procedures.
The decision comes amid scrutiny over the distribution of public funds to organizations combating antisemitism, with Friederici having overseen the relevant funding portfolio since his appointment in April 2023.
According to multiple verified sources including Spiegel, Berliner Zeitung, Tagesspiegel, and rbb24, Wedl-Wilson stated that even in draft form, the comptroller’s findings provided sufficient grounds for immediate action to review and potentially overhaul existing processes.
“My administration currently holds a draft of the Berlin state comptroller’s report on the propriety and economic efficiency of grant allocations within the societal cohesion department,” Wedl-Wilson said in an official statement. “Although the comptroller has not yet published the report, its draft version already gives me sufficient grounds to immediately implement the comptroller’s recommendations.”
The senator emphasized that the goal is to thoroughly examine procedures and workflows, implementing changes where necessary to ensure future operations are stable and legally secure.
Friederici, a CDU politician, had served nearly three decades in Berlin’s state parliament from 1995 before his appointment as state secretary. His removal follows pressure from within his own party regarding the funding decisions.
Alexander Straßmeir has been named as Friederici’s successor. Straßmeir previously served as state secretary for justice and consumer protection from 2012 to 2016 and most recently headed Berlin’s State Office for Health and Social Affairs before retiring.
The kulturverwaltung confirmed that Straßmeir will be recalled from retirement to assume the role, bringing experience from his prior state secretary position and leadership of multiple state agencies.
This personnel change represents the first major consequence in the ongoing controversy surrounding antisemitism prevention funding in Berlin’s cultural sector, with the full comptroller report expected to be released later this week.
The incident highlights the sensitivity of public fund allocation in social programs and the political pressures that can arise when financial oversight bodies identify procedural concerns, even before final reports are published.
As Berlin continues to address challenges related to antisemitism and social cohesion, the change in leadership at the culture administration signals a commitment to addressing governance issues identified by independent auditors.
Stay tuned to Archysport for updates on this developing story and its implications for Berlin’s cultural funding landscape.
