If the Berlin Green party gains seats in government after the election, its top candidate, Werner Graf, intends to pursue the expropriation of major housing conglomerates. Telling the “Tagesspiegel” (Thursday edition), Graf stated, “I have never left any doubt that I want to socialize [the properties].” While this move would necessitate Berlin taking out loans, the capital gains a valuable counterweight. The Greens politician explained that the firms slated for acquisition are currently generating substantial profits, and the city would also realize income from the rents collected from the taken-over properties.
Graf also emphasized that further measures are required to combat the housing crisis. He noted that a socialization process would take time, necessitating, therefore, the introduction of an affordable rent law and the conversion of far more office spaces into residential units. Graf is running as the top candidate for the Berlin Greens in the parliamentary elections on September 20th.
