In the general assembly on Wednesday, while leafing through documents, he said: “So where samma, they say …,” as can be seen and heard in the recording of the meeting. The term “N-word” is now used to describe a previously used racist term for black people. “Hello Munich” had previously reported on the incident.

Reiter apologized in a written statement: “The statement is a quote from a piece by the artist Fredl Fesl that spontaneously came to my lips when I asked where we were on the agenda.” Alfred Raimund “Fredl” Fesl (1947-2024) was a Lower Bavarian musician, singer and cabaret artist.

Reiter also wrote: “It was in no way my intention to hurt or devalue people. If my words have made anyone feel hurt or degraded, I expressly regret that and apologize.”

According to the mayor, he is aware that the Munich city council made it clear in 2022 with the resolution to “outlaw the N-word” that the use of this term should be classified as racist and should be rejected. “I of course agree with this stance. Especially as mayor, I have a special responsibility to treat each other in a respectful, sensitive and non-discriminatory manner.”