Politics · Germany · 1 hr ago
SPD leader faces questions over conflicting Berlin and federal housing positions
On a Sunday television programme, SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch faced questions about the party’s housing policy.
The dispute concerns plans in Berlin to take hundreds of thousands of homes into public ownership, a policy known as socialisation.
Berlin’s SPD is considering whether to support the plans as it discusses a possible state government with the Left party.
At the same time, the federal SPD is working with the conservatives on a law against the plans.
Miersch said socialisation is legally possible but that his party considers it the wrong approach because compensation could cost huge sums that could instead go to building homes.
He did not say whether the Berlin SPD would support the policy, and said a decision on joining the coalition was still ahead.
The debate matters because Berlin faces a shortage of housing, while opponents say taking homes over would deter investors.
SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch faced questions about differing positions on housing expropriation in Berlin and at federal level.
The Berlin SPD is considering a coalition with the Left that could support plans to bring hundreds of thousands of homes into public ownership.
At federal level, the SPD is working with the conservative Union on a law opposing expropriation, which Miersch described as a measure to protect investors.
Miersch said the Berlin party had to consider the coalition talks and the issue’s importance to many voters.
Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei argued that expropriation would waste public money and deter investors, while Berlin’s housing shortage stemmed from too little construction.
- Who
- SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch and Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei.
- What
- Miersch was questioned about the SPD’s differing Berlin and federal positions on housing expropriation.
- When
- Sunday evening; the article was published on October 19, 2026.
- Where
- On Caren Miosga’s television programme. The discussion concerned Berlin and federal policy.
- Why
- The Berlin SPD was considering coalition talks with the Left, which prioritises the issue, while the federal SPD was working with the Union on a law opposing expropriation.
Berlin SPD and Left
Federal SPD and Union
Berlin coalition position
Berlin SPD and Left
The Berlin SPD was considering whether to enter a coalition with the Left, whose plans include bringing hundreds of thousands of homes into public ownership.
Federal SPD and Union
Miersch said the federal SPD considered expropriation the wrong approach and was working with the Union on a law against it.
Approach to Berlin’s housing problem
Berlin SPD and Left
The Berlin SPD was considering the issue in the context of coalition negotiations and its importance to many Berlin residents.
Federal SPD and Union
Frei said expropriation would use large sums to buy existing homes and argued that too few homes were being built.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- SPD federal leader in the debate
- Matthias Miersch
- Berlin coalition talks
- Berlin SPD and the Left
- Homes covered by Left plans
- Hundreds of thousands
- Federal legislative work
- SPD and Union working on a law opposing expropriation
- Union parliamentary group leader
- Thorsten Frei
What people are saying
Is the SPD now fundamentally for bringing property into public ownership or not?
We are currently working at federal level on a law for investor protection.
The housing problem in Berlin has to do with far too few homes being built.
If I were thinking about building homes in Germany, then certainly not in Berlin!