Berlin elections focus on housing, crime, and urban decay

As Berlin approaches its state parliament elections, political discourse is dominated by urban decay, housing affordability, and public safety. Voters are grappling with rising costs of living, the disappearance of affordable apartments, and concerns regarding waste management and the cleanliness of public spaces.

Elif Eralp, the lead candidate for Die Linke, has centered her campaign on housing reform. Her platform includes stimulating the construction of affordable units through state-owned companies, regulating the rental market, and potentially expropriating large real estate corporations. Eralp has also addressed organized crime, advocating for increased personnel in specialized prosecutor's offices to combat tax evasion and extortion, while emphasizing social work and prevention over increased police presence in certain areas.

Other political tensions include the rise of the far-right AfD and the debate over the legacy of the SED. In a recent U16 election for youth, Die Linke secured 32.8 percent of the vote, a result some commentators suggest reflects broader social discontent rather than purely youth-driven interests.