Politics · Germany · 23 hrs ago
Germany plans law to block housing expropriation as Berlin Left pushes ahead
Germany’s housing minister, Verena Hubertz, says the government is preparing a law to prevent housing expropriation.
The plan responds to proposals by Berlin’s Left party to bring large housing companies under public ownership.
Hubertz argues that expropriation would be costly and would not create new homes, while the government should focus on building more housing.
The Left wants a draft law within the first year and a half if it joins Berlin’s governing coalition.
Its parliamentary leader, Tobias Schulze, says the takeover could be financed with loans repaid from rental income.
The federal law is intended to protect housing investment, but its details are still being discussed.
Hubertz says the Interior Ministry is leading that work, and she has not said what the law will contain.
Hubertz also plans a federal housing company that could begin operating in 2027.
She and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil aim to present its concept in the autumn and say it would work with existing market partners.
Germany’s building minister Verena Hubertz says the government is preparing a law to prevent the expropriation of housing.
Hubertz argues that expropriation would not create homes and could cost tens of billions of euros.
Berlin’s Left party wants to move quickly to socialise large housing companies and plans to finance the project with borrowing.
The two proposals come as talks on a possible Berlin coalition between the Left, SPD and Greens continue.
Hubertz says the government’s investment-protection law should be brought forward quickly, but has not set out its details.
- Who
- Federal Building Minister Verena Hubertz is advancing the proposed law. Berlin Left parliamentary leader Tobias Schulze is pushing for housing socialisation.
- What
- The federal government is preparing a law to block housing expropriation, while Berlin’s Left wants to socialise large housing companies.
- When
- Hubertz said the law should come as soon as possible. The Left wants a draft bill within the first 18 months of a possible coalition.
- Where
- Germany, with the Left’s plan focused on Berlin.
- Why
- Hubertz says expropriation would not create housing and could cost tens of billions of euros, while raising concerns about investment security. The Left says borrowing could fund its plan and repayments could come from rental income.
Federal government / SPD
Berlin Left
Purpose of policy
Federal government / SPD
Hubertz says the government is preparing a law to block housing socialisation and protect investment.
Berlin Left
The Left wants to socialise large housing companies.
Cost and financing
Federal government / SPD
Hubertz says the proposal could cost tens of billions of euros and that the money could instead build housing.
Berlin Left
Schulze says the project can be financed through loans repaid from rental income.
Bild reported that Tobias Schulze wanted a draft bill on socialising large housing companies within the first 18 months of a possible coalition.
Talks between the Left, SPD and Greens resumed after having been put on hold.
Hubertz said the government had decided to pursue an investment-protection law and wanted it brought forward as quickly as possible.
- Federal minister
- Verena Hubertz
- Berlin Left leader
- Tobias Schulze
- Proposed bill timing
- Within the first 18 months of a possible coalition
- Estimated cost cited by Hubertz
- Tens of billions of euros
- Housing company target start
- 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
Socialisation does not solve the problem.
It does not create a single apartment, and the costs are in the tens of billions.
We do essentially nothing different from what real estate investors do: you take out loans and repay them from the income, that is, the rents.