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Berlin parties propose socialization of 160,000 apartments
The Left Party, Green Party, and SPD in Berlin have reached an agreement in a preliminary coalition paper to socialize approximately 160,000 apartments. The plan targets private real estate companies that own a minimum of 10,000 units in the capital. The proposed measure would transfer ownership of these properties to the state in exchange for compensation, which is estimated to cost up to 16 billion euros. This funding would be secured through loans and refinanced via rental income.
The initiative aims to expand the municipal housing stock to exert downward pressure on market rents. However, the plan has faced significant criticism from the banking sector and industry associations. Jens Tolckmitt, head of the Association of German Pfandbrief Banks (VDP), warned that the move could discourage private investors and make real estate loans more expensive for both companies and private households by undermining mortgage security.
Exemptions from the plan include cooperatives, public-interest enterprises, and any apartments built or currently under construction since 2021. The most heavily affected entity would be the real estate group Vonovia, which holds approximately 130,000 units in Berlin. If the coalition proceeds, a draft law is expected by mid-2028.
Entities
Berlin · Bündnis 90/Die Grünen · Die Linke · Green Party · SPD · Vonovia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 11 SOURCES] The compensation will be financed with loans and refinanced through rents. www.kurierverlag.de · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de
- [● 11 SOURCES] Cooperatives and public-interest companies are excluded from the socialization measure. www.kurierverlag.de · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de
- [● 11 SOURCES] The compensation for real estate companies is to be capped at 16 billion euros. www.kurierverlag.de · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de
- [● 11 SOURCES] Vonovia is the most heavily affected company, with 130,000 apartments in Berlin. www.kurierverlag.de · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de
- [● 12 SOURCES] Apartments built or under construction since 2021 are excluded from the plan. www.kurierverlag.de · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de · next.gazeta.pl
- [● 12 SOURCES] The parties intend to present a law by mid-2028. www.kurierverlag.de · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de · next.gazeta.pl
- [● 24 SOURCES] The measure targets private companies with a minimum of 10,000 apartments. www.kurierverlag.de · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de · theleftberlin.com · +13 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Die Linke, Green, and SPD parties agreed to socialize approximately 160,000 apartments in Berlin. www.kurierverlag.de · archiv.hn.cz · bnn.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · ga.de · +7 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] The exploratory paper includes plans for the socialization of large housing stocks. www.berliner-zeitung.de · www.kreiszeitung.de · theleftberlin.com · www.tz.de · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · +7 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The SPD Berlin state executive voted 26 to 3 in favor of coalition negotiations with the Left Party. www.berliner-zeitung.de · denikreferendum.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Green Party majority voted in favor of negotiations with the SPD and the Left Party. www.berliner-zeitung.de · next.gazeta.pl · bnn.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Left Party will decide on coalition negotiations at a state party congress on October 31. www.berliner-zeitung.de · denikreferendum.cz