“Unfortunately, however, it also shows that no votes can be won with housing construction, but there are with rent regulation.”

Uwe Bottermann, lawyer and partner at Bottermann::Khorrami says:

“The election result shows how central the housing issue was to the election decision. This is understandable in view of the situation on the housing market. Unfortunately, however, it also shows that no votes can be won with housing construction, but it can be won with rent regulation. However, this is a fatal signal, because it strengthens the forces of inertia through the lock-in effect, impairs immigration and dynamic development and further increases regulatory pressure.”

“The strategy of Berlin’s housing policy will remain to block market influences as far as possible. The best example is the protection of the environment. Structural sub-standards are maintained so that the tenants do not change. Aging, fluctuation and the associated changes in housing needs are systematically ignored.”

“Berlin does not need a class and distribution struggle, but a consensus on how to proceed with the city. Do we want a reserve with low rents in the standard of the noughties or a capital city geared to the needs of modern urban development that can compete with other metropolises?”

“The most important issue in the next few weeks is likely to be whether socialization is actually seriously tackled. The Left Party absolutely wants it. For the SPD, the existential question will be whether it will actually support this – especially since the federal SPD will pass a law to prohibit the socialization of housing companies.”