Berlin’s SPD top candidate, Elif Eralp, outlined a financing model for the socialization of large housing portfolios and simultaneously announced a major expansion of municipal housing construction.
Speaking to Politico, Eralp explained that the compensation payments due for houses acquired through expropriation would be financed using rental income. According to the underlying calculation model, the costs are designed to cover themselves over the long term. “It will amortize over time; it shouldn’t put a major strain on the budget” she stated.
In addition to the financing plan, Eralp committed to launching a significant building program. “We will implement a housing construction program-a municipal one-for 75,000 units over ten years” she announced. She noted that the focus would not primarily be on private developers, given their recent lack of substantial building activity, which she described as predominantly high-priced. Instead, “the state-owned housing companies and the cooperatives will build over 80 or 90 percent”.
Separately, Eralp distanced herself from antisemitism within her own party. “Of course, antisemitism cannot have a place in my party” she said. She reiterated her consistent stance that the right to self-determination for Jewish people holds equal weight for her as the right of the Palestinian people.
