Berlin political parties propose voting rights for non-German citizens

The Left, Greens, and SPD parties in Berlin are proposing to extend voting rights to residents without German citizenship. According to a coalition exploratory paper dated October 17, 2026, the initiative aims to allow individuals to vote and run for office at the state and district levels after residing in Germany for five years, regardless of their nationality.

Berlin’s Integration Commissioner, Katarina Niewiedzial, has welcomed the proposal, stating it would address a “massive democracy gap” and strengthen social cohesion. Statistics from the end of 2025 indicate that approximately 663,600 people in Berlin have lived in the city for at least five years without a German passport, with over 617,400 of them being at least 16 years old.

The proposal has faced criticism from political opponents. Some regional leaders, including those from Bavaria and Hesse, have expressed opposition to Berlin's political direction, suggesting that federal and state financial transfers should be reconsidered if the city pursues certain left-wing policies.