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The Berlin Without Advertising initiative, launched in 2018, has been a topic of conversation in the city's political and social spheres. The movement aims to significantly reduce or ban commercial advertising, particularly digital advertising, in public spaces to improve urban aesthetics and reduce visual pollution.
The initiative collected over 30,000 valid signatures, triggering a referendum in Berlin, which was scheduled for a vote in 2023. The referendum sparked debate about balancing the urban visual environment, freedom of expression, and economic interests from advertising companies.
However, as of mid-2025, no widely reported updates confirm whether the referendum passed or was fully implemented. The current status and potential electoral impact for the 2026 Berlin election remain unclear in the search results.
The Greens and the Left have expressed support for the initiative, with the Greens warning the coalition not to reject it reflexively. The digitalization of advertising installations has been a concern, causing unwanted restlessness in public spaces and light pollution, which have negative effects on humans, animals, and nature.
The Senate initially deemed the initiative inadmissible in 2019 due to alleged interference with property rights. However, the Berlin Constitutional Court overturned the Senate's decision in 2020, criticizing the lack of opportunity for the initiative to improve its draft.
The Parliament is currently in recess, and the ball is now in their court. The bill's goal, which primarily aims at a ban on digital commercial advertising in public spaces, has been rejected by the Senate. However, if the bill is rejected, the initiative "Berlin without advertising" will launch a signature collection in early January as the second stage of the citizens' initiative.
If at least seven percent of eligible voters sign the petition by the end of April 2026, around 170,000 people, a citizens' vote is possible on election day. The House of Representatives has a four-month period to adopt or reject the bill largely unchanged.
The initiators want to ban advertising in schools, kindergartens, government offices, and large banners on buildings. They aim to reduce advertising to a "city-friendly" level, banning digital advertising screens, but allowing classic advertising columns and posters in subway stations. The spokesperson for the initiative has stated that they are open to constructive talks and possible changes.
El-Ghazi has urged the Parliament to engage in talks with the initiative with the aim of passing the bill. The initiative complains about the increasing visual dominance of advertising in public spaces, which negatively affects the streetscape, architectural, and urban design.
For comprehensive current status and election influence, consulting Berlin city government releases, local news agencies, or the initiative's official channels would be necessary. The initiative's impact on political platforms, public opinion, and campaigns could be significant if it gains momentum in the lead-up to the 2026 Berlin election.
The Berlin Without Advertising initiative, with the aim of reducing commercial advertising in public spaces, has triggered a referendum scheduled for a vote in 2023, causing debate about balancing urban visual environment, freedom of expression, and economic interests. Despite the unclear status of the referendum as of mid-2025, both the Greens and the Left have expressed support for the initiative, highlighting concerns about the digitalization of advertising installations and their negative effects on public spaces and visual pollution.
