Steffen Krach
Photo: Bernd Schwabe in Hannover, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Oct 16
Berlin's Left, Greens and SPD plan to socialize large housing firms, sparking federal backlash
Linke, Greens and SPD in Berlin agreed on 17 October to socialize housing companies with at least 10,000 apartments, while federal Union and SPD politicians warn of risks to intelligence cooperation.
- Oct 15
Bundestag lifts immunity of SPD lawmaker Adis Ahmetovic in Hannover probe
The Bundestag has cleared the way for court-ordered searches involving 33-year-old SPD member Adis Ahmetovic, who also chairs the party in Hannover. Prosecutors have not said whether the move is linked to their probe into a clinic site tender in Lehrte.
- Oct 13
Berlin Linke MP Vanessa Emde repeats Israel remarks as coalition talks resume
Linke politician Vanessa Emde reaffirmed her contested statements on Israel in an Instagram video posted on Thursday, 15 October, just as SPD, Greens and Linke resumed exploratory talks on a Berlin coalition.
- Oct 9
Lower Saxony SPD leader Stefan Politze resigns after parliament lifts his immunity
Stefan Politze stepped down as head of the SPD parliamentary group in Lower Saxony on Thursday evening, a day after the Landtag in Hannover lifted his immunity. Prosecutors are investigating the sale of a former clinic site in Lehrte.
- Oct 6
About 120 Left party members criticise Berlin antisemitism pact with SPD and Greens
Around 120 party members and office holders have signed a statement against the antisemitism agreement that cleared the way for coalition talks in Berlin on Thursday. The dispute also centres on Bundestag member Ferat Koçak.
- Sep 26
Study backs Berlin housing socialization at €13.5 billion as coalition talks loom
An economic study by the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung concludes that socializing 210,000 corporate flats in Berlin would cost €13.5 billion and can be funded without budget cuts, ahead of coalition negotiations with Die Linke.
- Sep 22
Berlin SPD agrees to exploratory coalition talks with Die Linke and Greens
The unanimous decision by Berlin Social Democrats enables three-party discussions following Die Linke's election victory on 20 September 2026, despite sharp policy disagreements over security and housing.
- Sep 19
Berlin police seize drugs and Nazi items at home of AfD candidate's staffer
Officers executing a weapons search in Berlin-Lichterfelde recovered narcotics and propaganda items from the residence of a constituency aide to AfD lead candidate Kristin Brinker.
- Aug 22
Die Linke takes lead in Berlin election poll ahead of CDU and AfD
A Forsa survey for t-online places Die Linke at 22 percent four weeks ahead of Berlin's 20 September state election, with CDU and AfD tied at 18 percent.
- Aug 9
Berlin SPD's Krach proposes 100 rent police and dares Left on expropriation
Berlin SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach announced 100 'rent police' to combat illegal rent hikes and fines up to 100,000 euros, while daring the Left party to expropriate a Russian cultural building in a provocative social media post.
- Aug 2
Berlin election poster race kicks off with dinosaur rivalry and early-start fines
Parties began plastering Berlin with campaign posters at noon on Sunday, seven weeks before the 20 September Abgeordnetenhaus election, but some had already jumped the gun and now face fines.
- Jul 29
Berlin SPD launches campaign with rent cap and cleanliness slogans for September election
Lead candidate Steffen Krach presented the Berlin SPD's election campaign on 29 July, unveiling 70,000 posters with slogans targeting affordable housing, public cleanliness, and family support ahead of the 20 September state vote.
- Jul 25
Fake videos target Berlin candidates two months before election, SPD points to Russian disinformation
English-language clips on X, carrying forged logos of major German media, accuse at least eight top Berlin politicians from CDU, SPD, Greens and Left of corruption, sex addiction and Nazi memorabilia purchases. The only major party spared is the AfD, prompting SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach to suspect Russian 'Schützenhilfe' for the far-right party.
- Jul 1
Die Linke overtakes CDU in Berlin election poll, leading for the first time since 2023
Two and a half months before the Berlin Abgeordnetenhaus election, a new poll puts Die Linke at 20 percent, while the Christian Democrats of incumbent mayor Kai Wegner fall to fourth place.
- Jun 20
German government plans €2 billion cut to housing benefit, one third of recipients to lose eligibility
Federal Building Minister Verena Hubertz (SPD) has sent a draft law for inter-ministerial review that would slash annual Wohngeld spending by €2 billion and remove about 400,000 households from the rolls.
- Jun 10
Berlin's CDU renominates Kai Wegner as lead candidate with 92.6 percent, despite internal criticism
Berlin's governing mayor secured his party's nomination for the September election, but a surprise challenger and recent controversies signal unease within his own ranks.
