Berlin coalition parties propose voting rights for long-term non-citizens

Berlin's SPD, Greens and Left unveiled a coalition discussion paper that seeks to give foreigners who have lived in Germany for at least five years full voting rights at both district and state levels. The draft states that eligibility would be automatic, eliminating the need for separate applications, and would cover both the right to vote and to run for office. Because the German constitution currently limits voting to citizens, the parties acknowledge that a constitutional amendment would be necessary, referencing the 1990 Federal Constitutional Court decision that rejected a general foreigner franchise.

Alongside the voting proposal, the paper calls for measures such as the nationalisation of large housing firms, increased borrowing, and a stronger role for NGOs in the capital. It also proposes a "safe harbour" for undocumented migrants, new regional intake programmes, and the replacement of one outlet social-benefit debit card with a basic account system.