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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Kate Connolly in Berlin

Bürger*innen? Backlash as Berlin mayor refuses to use gender-neutral language

Kai Wegner of the CDU raises his right hand during his swearing-in ceremony as mayor of Berlin
Kai Wegner of the CDU during his swearing-in ceremony as mayor of Berlin last month. Photograph: Michele Tantussi/Reuters

Berlin’s recently appointed conservative mayor has said he will refuse to use gender-neutral language in office, insisting he wanted to use a language “that everyone understands”.

Kai Wegner, who became mayor of the German capital last month, signalled in an interview with the Bild am Sonntag a readiness to dispense with gender-neutral language altogether in the city’s administration, although appeared to later backtrack after coming up against strong opposition to his remarks.

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