Heidi Reichinnek, the leader of the Green Left party faction, sharply criticized the legislation proposed by Federal Minister for Building, Verena Hubertz (SPD), which aims to block the socialization of housing. Reichinnek told the “Rheinische Post” that this law only serves to torpedo the implementation of the Berlin popular referendum, concluding that it “suggests an extremely questionable understanding of democracy.” The popular referendum in the capital had resulted in a majority vote in 2021 favoring the socialization of housing.
The Linken politician further insisted that the federal government should focus its policies on the people of the country who are suffering intensely from high rents and housing shortages, rather than crafting policies for investment funds and the wealthy.
Reichinnek also strongly countered Hubertz’s justification, calling the claim that “socialization would not build new housing” “absolutely absurd,” asserting that this has never been a credible argument. She stated that the government led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is fully aware that it is precisely the large housing corporations that build almost no new homes. In her view, the business model of these corporations relies exclusively on purchasing housing blocks, cutting back on renovations, and raising rents. The Linken politician criticized the Merz government for shielding these major companies.
Federal Minister for Building, Verena Hubertz (SPD), stated her intention to swiftly introduce a law against the socialization of housing. The potential socialization of large housing conglomerates is a particularly dominant issue in Berlin.
