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Berlin fast-tracks 'booster laws' to slash red tape before election

A last-minute legislative sprint could reshape Berlin's economy. Will faster permits and a rent database win over voters before September's election?

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3 min read
The image shows a large building with a lot of windows on the side of it, surrounded by street...
The image shows a large building with a lot of windows on the side of it, surrounded by street poles, street lights, sign boards, motor vehicles on the road, persons standing on the footpath, flags to the poles, grills, trees and a sky with clouds in the background. This building is the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, which is set to be re-elected.

Berlin's CDU and SPD Aim to Pass a Dozen Laws Before Summer Recess

Berlin fast-tracks 'booster laws' to slash red tape before election

Berlin (dpa/bb) — With just five months until the state parliamentary elections and no clear picture of who will govern afterward, Berlin's ruling coalition of the CDU and SPD is pushing to pass around a dozen laws and a handful of additional initiatives—such as parliamentary motions—before the summer recess in July. The two faction leaders, Dirk Stettner (CDU) and Raed Saleh (SPD), announced the plans in the state legislature.

Stettner described the legislative package, agreed upon during a two-day retreat by the faction leadership, as a "Berlin booster" and a solid foundation for whoever takes office after the September 20 election. Saleh added that both factions had crafted a deal with such momentum that it would tangibly improve life for many residents.

The SPD's parliamentary group leader spoke of an "intense process of negotiation" with the CDU, framing the central question as: "Do we still have the strength to drive change?" The only possible answer, he said, was: "Yes, we're rolling up our sleeves." Before the campaign trail heats up, he emphasized, there are shared responsibilities to fulfill—the very reasons they were elected. "Above all, we have to deliver."

Key Proposed Laws

  • Rent and Housing Registry: A citywide database of housing and rent prices will be established to better combat excessive rents—a pressing social issue, as Saleh noted: "Can I still afford to live in my own city?" While the data will not be publicly accessible, tenants and landlords will be notified if rents are deemed unjustified.
  • Simplified Construction Law: The "Einfach-Bauen-Gesetz" (Streamlined Building Act) aims to accelerate new construction by lowering certain standards and repurposing underused commercial spaces for residential development more quickly.
  • Public Procurement Reform: Businesses will find it easier to secure public contracts with less bureaucracy, as the threshold for direct awards in the construction sector rises from €50,000 to €500,000. Worker protections will also be strengthened, with mandatory collective bargaining wages for all public contracts in Berlin. Stettner stressed that modernizing procurement benefits not just businesses but the entire city. "Everyone is frustrated when things stall," he said, pointing to the many bridges slated for urgent repairs.
  • Violence Protection Act: Berlin will become the first state to implement the federal Gewaltschutzgesetz (Protection Against Violence Act) at the regional level, enhancing safeguards—particularly against domestic violence—through expanded counseling services and increased capacity in women's shelters. A legal right to such support will take effect in 2032.
  • Financial Equity for Districts (Konnexitätsgesetz): The coalition agrees on passing a law to ensure that whoever mandates a task—typically the state—also funds it. As part of administrative reforms, districts taking on new responsibilities must receive the necessary resources.
  • Hospitality Industry Reform: Before the summer break, parliament will vote on a new state hospitality law, initiated by the economic affairs department, to streamline and expedite the opening of restaurants and bars in Berlin.

Opposition Voices Skepticism

Criticism came swiftly from the opposition. The Green Party and the Left expressed doubts that the long-demanded housing and rent registry would materialize. "The SPD, a party of perpetual government, has blocked it for years, while the CDU risks alienating its big donors in the real estate lobby," said Werner Graf, leader of the Green faction. "We find it hard to believe this registry will suddenly happen now."

Left Party lead candidate Elif Eralp stated that for years, the CDU and SPD had blocked the initiative, only to now announce it. "But announcements don't pay the rent—and with Mr. Wegner, we know a promise sometimes only lasts until the next press conference."

The Berlin Tenants' Association considers a housing and rent registry essential, calling it a crucial step toward greater transparency in the rental market and better enforcement against excessive rents and legal violations.

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