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Scandal in Berlin: Ex-Culture Senator Chialo suspected of misallocation of millions!
Ex-Culture Senator Joe Chialo is suspected of improperly distributing funding. A committee of inquiry is called for.
Scandal in Berlin: Ex-Culture Senator Chialo suspected of misallocation of millions!
The political mood is running high in Berlin, and there is a reason for it: Joe Chialo, former culture senator for the CDU, is facing serious allegations. The suspicion? Funding for anti-Semitism projects was awarded without sufficient scrutiny and bypassing normal procedures. This situation could have far-reaching consequences not only for Chialo, but also for several CDU parliamentary group colleagues, such as World reported.
The Green MPs uncovered scandalous details when they examined the files. Funds are said to have been released personally by Chialo under pressure from leading CDU faction members. This happened contrary to the advice of the cultural administration, which in some cases was not informed at all or there was no formal application for funding. There was also allegedly no professional review of the projects, which raises questions about their legality.
Political reactions and demands
The allegations have already stirred up the political debate: Daniel Wesener, the ex-finance senator and cultural policy spokesman for the Greens, speaks of “party-political misuse of taxpayers' money” and a violation of the state budget regulations. Susanna Kahlefeld describes the procedure as “absolutely shameful”. The incumbent Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson also sees herself criticized, while Dirk Stettner, the CDU parliamentary group leader, vehemently rejects the allegations and dismisses the issue as a party political election campaign issue.
The Greens and the Left have already called for the establishment of a parliamentary committee of inquiry in the House of Representatives. They have the necessary 25% of MPs behind them and want to clarify whether budget law was ignored when allocating the funding. The committee will be set up soon to present results before the House of Representatives election in September 2026, reports daily news.
The financial dimensions
The allegations involve a total of 3.4 million euros, which comes from a funding pot for “projects of particular political importance”. This takes up a significant part of the total budget of 10 million euros for anti-Semitism projects this year. According to reports, the cultural administration has even waived proof of a 10% contribution in individual cases. These grievances shed significant light on the awarding practices within the Berlin cultural administration.
In the coming weeks, the Senate Department for Culture will initiate an audit by the State Audit Office to shed light on the issue of funding allocation. Dealing with these allegations could be important not only for the people in focus, but for the entire political landscape in Berlin.