# Berlin voting rights expansion debate > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/berlin-voting-rights-expansion-debate > Updated: 2026-10-22T11:56:16.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. A political dispute has emerged in Berlin regarding a proposal by the SPD, Greens, and Left Party to grant active and passive voting rights to all foreign residents after five years of residency, regardless of German citizenship. Franziska Giffey, Berlin's Economic Senator, has criticized the plan, arguing that state-level voting rights should remain reserved for German citizens to protect democratic principles. She suggested that those receiving voting rights should demonstrate German language proficiency and commitment to the country's democratic order. Adding legal weight to the opposition, former Federal Constitutional Court judge Udo Di Fabio declared the plan unconstitutional. Di Fabio clarified that while voting rights for non-citizens can be introduced at the municipal level, they cannot be extended to state-level elections because such participation involves ‘the German people,’ which requires German citizenship. Implementing the change would necessitate amendments to both the Berlin state constitution and the German Basic Law, requiring a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Political opponents, including the CDU and AfD, have also voiced strong opposition. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-22: Udo Di Fabio challenges Berlin's proposed voting rights for foreigners Former constitutional judge Udo Di Fabio argues that Berlin's plan to grant state-level voting rights to foreigners is unconstitutional, noting such rights are restricted to the municipal level. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/udo-di-fabio-challenges-berlins-proposed-voting-rights-for-foreigners ### 2026-10-20: Berlin political debate over proposed voting rights expansion Berlin faces political tension over a proposal to grant voting rights to foreign residents after five years of residency, a move critics call unconstitutional and supporters debate. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/berlin-political-debate-over-proposed-voting-rights-expansion --- Cite as: Berlin voting rights expansion debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/berlin-voting-rights-expansion-debate