Berlin’s radical housing takeover plan faces legal and political backlash
A legal battle over Berlin’s housing socialization plans has intensified after a confidential report questioned its constitutionality. Activists from Deutsche Wohnen & Co Enteignen (DWE) are pushing for a 2024 referendum to force the law through, despite opposition from the city’s CDU. The dispute centres on whether Berlin can legally take over 220,000 apartments from large landlords. In September 2023, DWE presented a draft law to socialize flats owned by major property firms like Vonovia and Deutsche Wohnen. The group argues that Berlin’s rental crisis justifies the move, claiming it would stabilize housing costs. Lara Eckstein, a DWE spokesperson, insists the German constitution supports the plan, as residential buildings fall under the category of 'land'. She also accused the CDU of misusing public funds by hiring law firms linked to Vonovia to block the initiative. The standoff leaves Berlin’s housing policy in limbo. If the referendum succeeds, the city could seize control of thousands of apartments, reshaping the rental market. For now, both sides remain locked in a legal and political struggle over the future of affordable housing.
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