Perspective of tenants under a left-wing administration: a blend of positives and negatives
In the heart of Germany, Berlin is grappling with a severe housing crisis, with rents being one of the biggest issues facing its residents. Amidst this challenge, the possibility of a left-wing majority government has emerged as a potential solution, but the path to this 'Red Metropolis' is fraught with complexities.
Currently, a coalition government between the SPD, CDU, and Greens is in power. However, a recent study by the Leibniz Institute for Spatial Research on the City assessing the period of Red-Red-Green from 2016 to 2021 has shed light on the limitations of such a coalition.
The SPD, a crucial player in any potential left-wing government, has shown cautious openness to addressing rent issues. Yet, internal debates, particularly on radical measures like expropriation, have caused divisions within the party. On the other hand, the Left Party, a potential leader of the left-wing coalition, strongly advocates for measures such as expropriation and the implementation of the 'Deutsche Wohnen & Co. enteignen' referendum.
The Left Party, which is currently in discussions about participating in the Berlin state government, believes that a left-wing majority government is unthinkable without the SPD. Katrin Lompscher, a former Senator for Urban Development from 2016 to 2020, claims that the city's state-owned housing companies have been more strongly involved as partners due to the coalition.
However, the federal constitutional court's rejection of the rent cap was counted as a success by Katrin Lompscher, a setback in the fight against skyrocketing rents. Despite this, the Left Party remains hopeful, viewing the rent cap project as a beacon of hope, albeit currently a failure.
The issue of rents is central to the Left Party's agenda. For the party to successfully participate in government from a tenants' perspective, it must ensure tangible successes. Wenke Christoph from the state executive of the Berlin Left reiterates this point, emphasising the need for concrete results.
Yet, many projects have failed, not least due to the SPD, whom the interviewees criticised harshly. The Left dreams of a 'Red Metropolis,' but co-governing alone won't achieve this goal. The SPD and Greens, if they choose to partner with the Left, will play a crucial role in realising this vision.
Despite the challenges, the SPD and the Left Party are open to dialogue. Numerous initiatives on the local level have seen the two parties working together. Trust has been gained, and countless meetings have been held. However, the limits of this opening became clear during the government's term.
A mathematically possible coalition under the leadership of the Left Party and involving the SPD and Greens offers hope for Berliners struggling with soaring rents. Whether this coalition will materialise remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the fight for affordable housing in Berlin is far from over.
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