The German Review

The German Review

Berlin might still be sexy, but it sure ain’t poor

Why it's time to cut off the capital's subsidies.

Jörg Luyken's avatar
Jörg Luyken
Oct 18, 2025
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A beautiful historical building framed by modern structures.
The new Stadtschloss in central Berlin. Photo by Jahanzeb Ahsan on Unsplash

Dear Reader,

The most famous phrase ever uttered about Berlin in its reunified incarnation was coined in 2003 by then-mayor Klaus Wowereit.

Wowereit, who famously loved a party, described the German capital as “arm aber sexy” – poor but sexy.

When Wowereit spoke those words, they st…

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