From Hildburg Bruns
Greeting in the morning in front of the SPD headquarters in Wedding. Towards evening, after seven hours of deliberations, the Senate coalition broke up and it seemed like a farewell to the government of the often quarreling coalition partners.
Serious expressions on the part of the Greens and the Left – and the governing Franziska Giffey (44, SPD) very determined. In the evening she wanted to decide on the desired partner in a small group and present the result to the SPD state board for decision today.
It sounded as if a huge hurdle had been cleared: the dispute over the expropriation of XXL real estate companies. “There could be a way,” said Linken boss Katina Schubert (61). Eleven left-wing district leaders have meanwhile called for a corresponding Senate law to be presented by mid-2045. Expropriation opponent Giffey said that “a viable way had been worked out”.
On the street corner next to the SPD headquarters, people had rolled out a banner: NO GROKO IN BERLIN. But that’s exactly what it boils down to according to BZ information – black and red.
If the party bodies approve it, this means:
► After the fall of Eberhard Diepgen (81 today), a CDU ruler moves into the Red City Hall after 21 years – Kai Wegner (50), probably in May.
► There would only be two instead of three parties at the Senate table – that usually means fewer conflicts. The CDU/SPD would have a majority of seven seats in parliament (159 seats) – red-green-red would have been a little more comfortable with eleven seats plus in controversial votes.
► The Greens would lose their senators in the areas of finance, health, transport – the left in the departments of social affairs, culture, justice.
► Since Franziska Giffey (44), who is still in power, has the most government experience in the Berlin SPD (Neukölln mayor, federal minister), she will certainly be persuaded, despite the election defeat, to at least remain as a senator. A relegation at first glance, but also a launching pad for a possible comeback in the 2026 election.
Election winner Kai Wegner (50, CDU) is negotiating again with the Greens Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Axel Heimken
On Tuesday afternoon, CDU election winner Wegner will meet again with the Greens. During the election campaign, he had violently attacked their demands for a 30 km/h speed limit, halving parking spaces, stopping construction of the A 100, etc. (“cannot do with me”). Nevertheless, he seriously steered black-green. But there is too much resistance from both CDU voters and the Greens.