Berlin election parties breach poster ban with early campaign

Several political parties in Berlin began hanging election posters before the legally mandated start time of 12 p.m. on 2 August, violating a recent amendment to the city’s street‑signage law. Campaign workers were observed posting flyers in the night of 1 August and early Saturday, with districts such as Marzahn‑Hellersdorf, Friedrichshain‑Kreuzberg, Lichtenberg, Neukölln and Steglitz‑Zehlendorf reporting early displays by the CDU, SPD, The Left, the Greens and the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance (BSW). Some parties cited permits dated 1 August, while others admitted the early posting was a mistake by hired installers.

Authorities warned that violations carry fines of €10‑€50 per poster, and past elections have seen cumulative penalties of several thousand euros. In Neukölln, campaign staff were reportedly caught coordinating to start posting at 8 p.m. the night before, an arrangement that itself breaches the ban. The city’s election office may issue fines to the parties involved for the premature campaign activity.