Berlin parties announce breakthrough in exploratory talks

The Linke, Greens, and SPD have successfully concluded exploratory talks in Berlin, marking a significant step toward forming a governing coalition. Four weeks after the election for the Berlin House of Representatives, the three parties announced their intention to propose formal coalition negotiations to their respective party bodies. If all three parties agree, negotiations could begin in early November.

Housing and urban planning proposals

A central component of the joint exploratory paper focuses on the housing crisis. According to Tagesschau, the parties plan to expropriate large private housing companies that own more than 10,000 apartments in Berlin. Under this plan, companies would receive compensation but could retain a base stock of 10,000 units. Elif Eralp, the Linke top candidate and potential future Governing Mayor, stated that this move would remove approximately 160,000 apartments from "market logic."

Eralp described the current rent crisis as "the social question" in the city. The parties have also agreed on a plan to approve the construction of 100,000 new apartments in the coming years. For state-owned housing companies, the parties propose a rent cap that limits increases to a maximum of two per cent, alongside the creation of a central authority to combat usury.

Regarding urban development, the parties aim to increase climate resilience by reducing sealed surfaces and improving rainwater retention. They also expressed opposition to the continued construction of the A100 motorway in eastern Berlin and the peripheral development of Tempelhofer Feld.

Political agreements and social commitments

The negotiations also addressed internal party issues and social policy. To address antisemitic incidents within the Linke, the three parties reached a prior agreement to protect Jewish life, support Israel's right to exist, and pursue a two-state solution that enables both Israeli security and Palestinian self-determination. The agreement includes potential sanctions, up to and including expulsion from parliamentary groups.

In terms of security and social rights, the parties intend to pursue a Bundesrat initiative for a ban on the AfD. While the Linke campaigned for the abolition of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the exploratory agreement suggests the agency will instead be subject to stronger parliamentary control. Other social proposals include making the public transport social ticket cheaper again and reintroducing free admission on Museum Sunday.

To fund these projects, Eralp stated that at least 400 million euros in additional revenue must be generated through higher taxes and fees.

Path to negotiations

The transition to formal coalition negotiations depends on internal party decisions. The Greens are scheduled to vote on the matter at a small party congress this Monday. The SPD state executive is also expected to decide on Monday. Due to the autumn holidays, the Linke has scheduled its party congress for 31 October.

The taz reports that the process has faced challenges, noting visible mistrust from the SPD towards the Linke and internal pressures within the Linke following controversial incidents at a Neukölln election party. If the three parties move forward, the resulting coalition would hold 91 seats in the new Berlin House of Representatives.

This piece was written with the help of an AI model from the sources listed below and reviewed by a human editor before publication.

Sources

• Linke, Grüne und SPD verkünden Durchbruch bei Sondierungen in Berlin — Tagesschau
• Rot-Grün-Rot in Berlin: Die Sondierungen in Berlin verlaufen offen – das ist gut so — taz
• Sondierungen in Berlin: Linke, Grüne und SPD erzielen offenbar Einigung — Tagesschau