2023 Berlin repeat state election

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2023 Berlin repeat state election
Flag of Berlin.svg
  2021 12 February 20232026 

All 159 seats in the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin, including 29 overhang and leveling seats
80 seats needed for a majority
Turnout1,529,558 (62.9%) Decrease2.svg 12.4pp
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
2014-09-09 - Kai Wegner MdB - 7002.jpg
2021-09-26 Abgeordnetenhauswahlabend SPD Berlin by Sandro Halank-030.jpg
Pressefoto Bettina-Jarasch 2014.jpg
Candidate Kai Wegner Franziska Giffey Bettina Jarasch
Party CDU SPD Greens
Last election30 seats, 18.0%36 seats, 21.4%32 seats, 18.9%
Seats won523434
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 22Decrease2.svg 2Increase2.svg 2
Popular vote428,228279,017278,964
Percentage28.2%18.4%18.4%
SwingIncrease2.svg 10.2ppDecrease2.svg 3.0ppDecrease2.svg 0.5pp

 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 
2017-11-16 Klaus Lederer (Wiki Loves Parliaments 2017 in Berlin) by Sandro Halank.jpg
Kristin Brinker, AfD (Martin Rulsch) 2017-11-16.jpg
Portrait Sebastian Czaja.jpg
Candidate Klaus Lederer Kristin Brinker Sebastian Czaja
Party Left AfD FDP
Last election24 seats, 14.1%13 seats, 8.0%12 seats, 7.1%
Seats won22170
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 2Increase2.svg 4Decrease2.svg 12
Popular vote185,119137,87170,416
Percentage12.2%9.1%4.6%
SwingDecrease2.svg 1.9ppIncrease2.svg 1.1ppDecrease2.svg 2.5pp

2023 Berlin state election.svg
Results for single-member constituencies (left) and party list vote (right).

Government before election

Giffey senate
SPDGreenLeft

Elected Government

Wegner senate
CDUSPD

The 2023 Berlin repeat state election was held on 12 February 2023 to once again elect the 19th Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin. The 19th Abgeordnetenhaus was originally elected on 26 September 2021. On 16 November 2022, the Constitutional Court of the State of Berlin declared the results invalid due to numerous irregularities and ordered a repeat election within 90 days. [1] [2] A decision by the Federal Constitutional Court regarding five constitutional complaints is still pending, but will not be decided until after the repeat election. [3] [4] The incumbent government was a coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), The Greens, and The Left led by Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey.

Contents

Alongside the Abgeordnetenhaus election, the borough council results were also ruled invalid and repeat elections ordered for the same date. [5]

With 28% of votes, the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) grew by over ten percentage points and emerged as the largest party by a wide margin, the first time it had done so since 1999. All three governing parties declined; the SPD suffered its worst result in over a century with 18.4%, and only barely remained ahead of the Greens by a margin of 53 votes. The Left also slipped to 12%. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) recorded a small upswing to 9%, while the Free Democratic Party (FDP) fell to 4.6% and lost all their seats. Overall, the incumbent government retained a reduced majority. The CDU claimed a mandate to govern given its first-place result, while mayor Giffey committed to remaining in government. The Left called for a renewal of the outgoing coalition. [6]

After various talks between parties, the SPD and CDU voted at the beginning of March to begin negotiations for a grand coalition. CDU leader Kai Wegner was approved as mayor on 27 April after three rounds of voting. [7] [8]

Election date

The election to the 19th Berlin House of Representatives originally took place on 26 September 2021, but the results were ruled invalid by the Berlin Constitutional Court on 16 November 2022. A repeat election was ordered to take place within 90 days – 14 February 2023 at the latest. Constitutionally, the house has a term of five years. The Court's decision did not reset the legislative term, meaning the next regular elections must still take place no later than Autumn 2026. [9] [10] State electoral officer Stephan Bröchler confirmed that the election would take place on Sunday 12 February, the latest possible date. [11]

The sitting members of the House of Representatives who, in accordance with the ruling of the Constitutional Court, remained in office until the repeat election, could have circumvented the court ruling by dissolving the house and thus bringing about a snap election for a regular 20th legislative period (this is possible under the Berlin state constitution with a two-thirds majority of all members of parliament). However, this move was not seriously considered.

Electoral system

The Abgeordnetenhaus is elected via mixed-member proportional representation. 78 members are elected in single-member constituencies via first-past-the-post voting. 52 members are then allocated using compensatory proportional representation, distributed in each of Berlin's twelve boroughs. Voters have two votes: the "first vote" for candidates in single-member constituencies, and the "second vote" for party lists, which are used to fill the proportional seats. The minimum size of the Abgeordnetenhaus is 130 members, but if overhang seats are present, proportional leveling seats will be added to ensure proportionality. An electoral threshold of 5% of valid votes is applied to the Abgeordnetenhaus; parties that fall below this threshold are excluded from the Abgeordnetenhaus. However, parties which win at least one single-member constituency are exempt from the threshold and will be allocated seats proportionally, even if they fall below 5%. [9]

Background

In the original election held on 26 September 2021, the SPD remained the largest party with 21.4% of the vote. The Greens grew to become the second-largest party with 18.9%, followed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on 18.0%. The Left saw a small decline to 14.1%. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) lost almost half their voteshare and fell to 8.0%, while the Free Democratic Party (FDP) saw a small improvement to 7.1%. The SPD had led a coalition with the Left and Greens since 2016, which was returned with an increased majority. The government was subsequently renewed under new mayor Franziska Giffey.

Numerous irregularities were reported during the 2021 elections, including shortages of ballot papers, unusually long queues to vote, ballots being delivered to the wrong locations, and in some cases voters being turned away or offered only ballot papers for the federal election. After months of investigation and hearings, in September 2022, the Constitutional Court of the State of Berlin issued a preliminary assessment declaring that a full repeat of the both the state and district council elections was likely necessary. This was confirmed by their official ruling in November. The results of the election were thus voided and new elections ordered for within 90 days. [1]

Parties

The table below lists parties previously represented in the 19th Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin.

NameIdeology2021 result
Votes (%)Seats
SPD Social Democratic Party of Germany
Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands
Social democracy 21.4%
36 / 147
Grüne Alliance 90/The Greens
Bündnis 90/Die Grünen
Green politics 18.9%
32 / 147
CDU Christian Democratic Union of Germany
Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands
Christian democracy 18.0%
30 / 147
Linke The Left
Die Linke
Democratic socialism 14.1%
24 / 147
AfD Alternative for Germany
Alternative für Deutschland
Right-wing populism 8.0%
13 / 147
FDP Free Democratic Party
Freie Demokratische Partei
Liberalism 7.1%
12 / 147

Opinion polls

Graphical summary

2023 Berlin repeat state election polls (WP).svg
Local regression of polls conducted.

Party polling

Polling firmFieldwork dateSample

size

SPD Grüne CDU Linke AfD FDP OthersLead
2023 state election12 Feb 202318.418.428.212.29.14.69.09.8
Wahlkreisprognose 8–10 Feb 20231,00019.518.5251395105.5
Forschungsgruppe Wahlen 8–9 Feb 20231,05921172511106104
INSA 2–9 Feb 20231,00019182512106106
Civey 2–9 Feb 20232,0022217241197102
Forsa 30 Jan–3 Feb 20231,00517182612105128
Forschungsgruppe Wahlen 31 Jan–2 Feb 20231,15121182411106103
Wahlkreisprognose 31 Jan–2 Feb 20231,03419192212.511.55.510.53
Infratest dimap 30 Jan–1 Feb 20231,54019182512106106
Infratest dimap 12–16 Jan 20231,16218212311116102
Wahlkreisprognose 6–9 Jan 20231,10019.52022.512.511410.52.5
INSA 12–19 Dec 20221,0002120211210610Tie
Wahlkreisprognose 11–13 Dec 20221,4562020.52012.5115110.5
Infratest dimap 17–21 Nov 20221,17919222111105121
Wahlkreisprognose 16–17 Nov 20221,20018.518.518.514.5126.511.5Tie
INSA 7–11 Nov 20221,00020202112107101
Wahlkreisprognose 27–29 Oct 20221,3111919.51914.5125110.5
Wahlkreisprognose 10–13 Oct 20221,10018192114135102
Infratest dimap 13–17 Sep 20221,17317222112106121
Wahlkreisprognose 8–12 Aug 20221,10020.526.51910.5959.56
INSA 4–11 Jul 20221,0002021201287121
INSA 10–15 Jun 20221,000212021128810Tie
Wahlkreisprognose 18-25 May 20221,1001729.52110.56.55.5108.5
Infratest dimap 16–19 Mar 20221,1702021201288111
INSA 6–13 Dec 20211,000221920159782
2021 state election 26 Sep 202121.418.918.014.18.07.112.52.5

West Berlin

Polling firmFieldwork dateSample

size

SPD Grüne CDU Linke AfD FDP OthersLead
2023 state election12 Feb 202319.919.831.19.06.85.38.111.2
Infratest dimap 30 Jan–2 Feb 2023211929885108
Infratest dimap 12–16 Jan 202320222789595
Infratest dimap 17–21 Nov 2022202325885112
Wahlkreisprognose 10–13 Oct 20221920.52410.510.55.5103.5
Infratest dimap 13–17 Sep 202217242488712Tie
Infratest dimap 16–19 Mar 2022212324768111
2021 state election 26 Sep 202122.920.320.810.16.37.911.72.1

East Berlin

Polling firmFieldwork dateSample

size

SPD Linke Grüne CDU AfD FDP OthersLead
2023 state election12 Feb 202316.416.616.424.312.23.710.47.7
Infratest dimap 31 Jan–2 Feb 20231714162014693
Infratest dimap 12–16 Jan 20231714181815612Tie
Infratest dimap 17–21 Nov 202218152014145142
Wahlkreisprognose 10–13 Oct 20221619.517.516.51749.52
Infratest dimap 13–17 Sep 202217162017125133
Infratest dimap 16–19 Mar 202220181814117122
2021 state election 26 Sep 202119.419.417.014.310.36.111.7Tie

Results

Results of the party list vote by voting precinct (Wahlbezirk). 2023 Berlin state election by voting precinct.svg
Results of the party list vote by voting precinct (Wahlbezirk).
Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin 2023.svg
PartyConstituencyParty listTotal
seats
+/–
Votes%+/–SeatsVotes%+/–Seats
Christian Democratic Union (CDU)449,99029.71+10.0648428,22828.23+10.23452+22
Social Democratic Party (SPD)301,85119.93–3.424279,01718.39–3.023034–2
Alliance 90/The Greens (GRÜNE)290,02619.15–0.8320278,96418.39–0.461434+2
The Left (LINKE)186,47312.31–1.634185,11912.20–1.851822–2
Alternative for Germany (AfD)136,4269.01+0.942137,8719.09+1.101517+4
Free Democratic Party (FDP)58,3813.85–2.74070,4164.64–2.5000–12
Human Environment Animal Protection 43,9242.90–0.47036,2732.39+0.19000
Die PARTEI 25,1201.66–0.35021,5701.42–0.38000
Volt Germany 14,0470.93–0.18000
Grassroots Democratic Party 11,5050.76–0.8908,3420.55–0.72000
The Greys  [ de ]6,4470.43–0.26000
Team Todenhöfer 6,3260.42–0.61000
Grey Panthers  [ de ]6,2750.41–0.08000
Pirate Party Germany 1,1840.08–0.0105,1450.34–0.07000
Climate List Berlin 4,1030.27–0.16000
Free Voters 5,6660.37–0.5603,9230.26–0.58000
Renters' Party9730.06±0.0003,9020.26+0.03000
Party for Health Research 3,7680.25–0.02000
The Urbans. A HipHop Party 6140.04±0.0002,9930.20±0.00000
The Humanists 2,6590.18–0.03000
German Communist Party 2,5170.17+0.04000
Bildet Berlin!1,7900.12–0.02000
Ecological Democratic Party 6430.04–0.0201,6740.11–0.02000
National Democratic Party 5660.04–0.0101,5910.10–0.03000
Bergpartei, die "ÜberPartei" 1,1370.07–0.02000
Socialist Equality Party 8010.05+0.02000
The Pinks/Alliance 21  [ de ]360.00±0.0007860.05±0.00000
Liberal Conservative Reformers 3820.03–0.0204750.03–0.04000
Civil Rights Movement Solidarity 4090.03±0.00000
Human World  [ de ]1630.01±0.00000
The New Democrats690.00–0.00000
The Republicans 150.00±0.000440.00±0.00000
German Conservative160.00±0.00000
The Women1110.01±0.00000
Liberal Democrats 300.00±0.00000
Democratic Left220.00±0.00000
Independents6290.04–0.02000
Total1,514,567100.00781,516,860100.0081159+12
Valid votes1,514,56799.021,516,86099.17
Invalid/blank votes14,9910.9812,6980.83
Total votes1,529,558100.001,529,558100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,431,77662.902,431,77662.90
Source:
Popular vote
CDU
28.23%
SPD
18.39%
GRÜNE
18.39%
LINKE
12.20%
AfD
9.09%
FDP
4.64%
Other
9.06%
Abgeordnetenhaus seats
CDU
32.70%
SPD
21.38%
GRÜNE
21.38%
LINKE
13.84%
AfD
10.69%

By constituency

ConstituencyPersonal voteList vote
Previous memberElected member %Margin CDU SPD Grüne Linke AfD FDP Other
Mitte 1 Silke Gebel Silke Gebel 33.511.620.615.230.612.84.18.08.7
Mitte 2Max LanderoLucas Schaal24.93.424.217.619.517.67.16.27.8
Mitte 3Jian OmarJian Omar22.010.722.218.428.112.44.66.18.1
Mitte 4Taylan KurtTaylan Kurt40.122.615.614.734.316.84.63.810.2
Mitte 5Mathias SchulzSven Rissmann24.41.924.118.421.714.18.53.210.1
Mitte 6Tuba BozkurtTuba Bozkurt32.010.914.714.828.721.55.42.812.0
Mitte 7 Laura Neugebauer Laura Neugebauer 30.110.817.816.428.517.65.63.510.7
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg 1 Katrin Schmidberger Katrin Schmidberger 40.323.114.316.137.017.42.63.89.0
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg 2Marianne Burkert-EulitzMarianne Burkert-Eulitz37.910.810.212.738.324.42.02.410.0
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg 3Turgut AltuğTurgut Altuğ35.115.314.415.832.921.62.92.410.1
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg 4Damiano ValgolioDamiano Valgolio24.72.418.217.122.421.56.93.610.4
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg 5Vasili FrancoVasili Franco36.114.211.113.533.921.94.23.312.0
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg 6Julian SchwarzeJulian Schwarze39.619.812.212.836.520.13.44.210.8
Pankow 1 Johannes Kraft Johannes Kraft 41.625.833.616.29.411.017.03.49.4
Pankow 2Torsten HoferLars Bocian31.412.329.617.614.211.913.14.49.2
Pankow 3Oda HassepaßOda Hassepaß24.83.320.317.123.016.69.23.410.4
Pankow 4 Dennis Buchner Dirk Stettner30.210.428.918.012.114.313.63.29.9
Pankow 5Louis KrügerLouis Krüger22.11.320.617.419.617.610.43.111.3
Pankow 6 Andreas Otto Andreas Otto 41.623.312.113.237.819.13.54.39.9
Pankow 7 Julia Schneider Julia Schneider 30.912.516.114.927.518.87.33.611.8
Pankow 8Daniela BilligDaniela Billig37.219.014.413.634.318.73.95.69.6
Pankow 9Tino SchopfTino Schopf25.61.317.717.524.618.07.94.010.3
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 1Christian HochgrebeStefan Häntsch28.35.027.420.820.28.88.05.49.3
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 2Ariturel HackAriturel Hack38.718.135.520.618.45.65.48.06.4
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 3Petra VandreyPetra Vandrey29.23.124.120.727.310.14.26.37.3
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 4Christoph WaplerAldona Niemczyk28.62.627.920.124.28.24.78.06.8
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 5Sandra KhalatbariSandra Khalatbari42.322.239.018.816.05.25.49.95.7
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 6Alexander Kaas EliasPeer Mock-Stümer29.23.627.621.624.28.64.47.06.6
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 7Florian DörstelmannStefanie Bung34.210.331.922.120.17.35.56.36.8
Spandau 1Sebahat AtliBettina Meißner37.312.837.222.29.64.812.24.19.9
Spandau 2 Raed Saleh Ersin Nas33.27.233.923.09.85.612.83.811.1
Spandau 3Stephan MachulikKerstin Brauner34.410.534.421.212.15.910.84.511.0
Spandau 4Heiko MelzerHeiko Melzer45.322.343.921.27.83.511.34.18.3
Spandau 5 Kai Wegner Kai Wegner 46.924.943.920.411.23.38.56.06.8
Steglitz-Zehlendorf 1Benedikt LuxClaudia Wein30.21.628.720.523.47.65.36.57.9
Steglitz-Zehlendorf 2 Matthias Kollatz-Ahnen Tom Cywinski31.37.230.121.620.77.06.06.38.3
Steglitz-Zehlendorf 3Christian GoinyChristian Goiny40.518.836.820.418.04.95.08.76.2
Steglitz-Zehlendorf 4 Cornelia Seibeld Cornelia Seibeld 41.819.739.021.014.84.76.66.96.9
Steglitz-Zehlendorf 5Oliver FriedericiOliver Friederici41.219.938.320.613.54.98.26.38.2
Steglitz-Zehlendorf 6Adrian GrasseAdrian Grasse40.019.636.618.819.25.44.89.55.8
Steglitz-Zehlendorf 7Stephan StandfußStephan Standfuß40.120.238.418.718.14.14.810.75.2
Tempelhof-Schöneberg 1Sebastian WalterSebastian Walter34.412.421.119.331.112.34.04.77.4
Tempelhof-Schöneberg 2Catherina Pieroth-ManelliCatherina Pieroth-Manelli36.914.917.219.334.213.53.73.78.5
Tempelhof-Schöneberg 3Orkan ÖzdemirOrkan Özdemir32.126.823.021.930.09.14.04.77.4
Tempelhof-Schöneberg 4Aferdita SukaFrank Luhmann28.52.127.819.123.310.25.83.99.9
Tempelhof-Schöneberg 5Lars RauchfußRoman Simon40.318.038.520.312.16.48.74.99.1
Tempelhof-Schöneberg 6Scott KörberScott Körber47.420.745.620.09.13.89.64.87.1
Tempelhof-Schöneberg 7Christian ZanderChristian Zander49.630.047.319.29.03.68.95.46.6
Neukölln 1André SchulzeAndré Schulze35.18.810.314.435.424.83.41.89.9
Neukölln 2Susanna KahlefeldSusanna Kahlefeld34.53.89.714.335.825.73.41.89.4
Neukölln 3Derya ÇağlarDerya Çağlar23.42.320.020.322.817.66.52.510.2
Neukölln 4Marcel HoppChristopher Förster43.013.341.227.55.24.610.63.67.2
Neukölln 5Nina LerchRobin Juhnke43.118.240.325.38.54.49.94.47.2
Neukölln 6 Franziska Giffey Olaf Schenk45.315.743.925.25.63.610.84.26.6
Treptow-Köpenick 1 Katalin Gennburg Katalin Gennburg 25.96.618.315.821.320.99.83.110.8
Treptow-Köpenick 2Lars DüsterhöftLars Düsterhöft29.28.222.120.412.416.413.53.411.7
Treptow-Köpenick 3Ellen HaußdörferStefan Evers32.713.730.617.48.712.217.03.610.5
Treptow-Köpenick 4Robert SchaddachLisa-Bettina Knack27.23.628.417.911.114.513.94.39.9
Treptow-Köpenick 5Tom SchreiberMartin Sattelkau27.74.827.618.97.014.817.64.110.0
Treptow-Köpenick 6Dunja WolffMaik Penn31.613.229.017.812.116.212.23.69.1
Marzahn-Hellersdorf 1Gunnar LindemannGunnar Lindemann28.86.822.915.03.516.028.02.212.3
Marzahn-Hellersdorf 2Manuela SchmidtOlga Gauks25.54.626.918.14.117.520.42.510.5
Marzahn-Hellersdorf 3Jeannette AurichtJeannette Auricht25.91.224.615.04.314.825.22.713.4
Marzahn-Hellersdorf 4Christian GräffChristian Gräff42.927.936.515.76.814.414.73.09.0
Marzahn-Hellersdorf 5Katharina Günther-WünschKatharina Günther-Wünsch45.029.640.116.27.511.513.34.07.4
Marzahn-Hellersdorf 6Alexander HerrmannAlexander Herrmann37.818.431.915.35.014.320.22.610.9
Lichtenberg 1Danny FreymarkDanny Freymark40.820.834.714.04.014.420.92.19.9
Lichtenberg 2Martin PätzoldMartin Pätzold39.522.634.614.96.915.915.32.99.6
Lichtenberg 3Claudia EngelmannDennis Haustein23.40.123.118.59.019.514.63.112.2
Lichtenberg 4Sebastian SchlüsselburgSebastian Schlüsselburg27.28.118.016.817.321.910.73.012.3
Lichtenberg 5Hendrikje KleinHendrikje Klein25.05.219.815.915.020.912.72.912.7
Lichtenberg 6 Andreas Geisel Lilia Usik22.40.723.217.216.618.49.94.010.7
Reinickendorf 1Bettina KönigBurkard Dregger37.214.234.519.312.68.211.83.010.6
Reinickendorf 2Jörg StroedterEmine Demirbüken-Wegner38.916.138.020.59.55.413.03.99.7
Reinickendorf 3Stephan SchmidtStephan Schmidt44.121.841.720.712.93.48.35.97.1
Reinickendorf 4Björn WohlertBjörn Wohlert41.318.039.620.712.44.19.94.88.6
Reinickendorf 5Michael DietmannMichael Dietmann43.821.341.021.86.63.914.43.88.6
Reinickendorf 6Frank BalzerFrank Balzer45.725.444.019.015.33.56.06.85.6
BerlinN/A28.218.418.412.29.14.69.0

Government formation

Despite the CDU's strong result and insistence on a mandate to govern, the incumbent coalition of the SPD, Greens, and Left retained its majority. In the wake of the election, numerous outlets noted the likelihood that the CDU would remain in opposition. While preliminary results left a degree of doubt as to whether the SPD or Greens had placed second, initial talks began with a tentative assumption that the SPD had finished ahead. The CDU met separately with the SPD and Greens on 17 February for about four hours each. The atmosphere at the former was described as cool and the latter was friendly and cordial, though SPD were noted as being significantly closer to the CDU on policy compared to the Greens. [12] Further CDU–SPD and CDU–Green discussions took place the next week, as did meetings between the SPD, Greens, and Left. [13] [14]

With all parties except The Left remaining publicly noncommital, speculation began to grow of a CDU-led government rather than a rapid renewal of the outgoing coalition as many expected. [15] Franziska Giffey pushed for clarification on expropriation as a precondition for the SPD to join any coalition, a policy area where the CDU and SPD were noticeably close. [16] RBB suggested that Giffey could be handed a "super portfolio" in a CDU–SPD coalition. [17] The Tagesspiegel also reported that former interior minister and urban development minister Andreas Geisel of the SPD would likely not be appointed to the next cabinet, regardless of coalition, due to his failure of responsibility in overseeing the 2021 election. [18]

Polling conducted by Civey between 17 and 23 February indicated that 45% of voters preferred a CDU–SPD coalition, followed by SPD–Green–Left with 26%, and only 11% for CDU–Green. [19] The final results of the election were published on 27 February, clarifying that the SPD had finished ahead of the Greens, albeit by an even narrower margin of 53 votes. [20]

The Left voted on 28 February to seek a continuation of the coalition with the SPD and Greens. The three parties announced that they had come to an acceptable agreement on expropriation during the course of their discussions. Specifics were not given, but they spoke of a multi-stage process which would be based on the advice of the expert commission. [21]

On 1 March, the SPD state board voted 25 to 12 in favour of seeking coalition negotiations with the CDU. [22] The CDU board unanimously reciprocated the following day. [23] Kai Wegner stated that, while talks had been productive with the Greens, they found greater overlap with the SPD. He also said that while the two still disagreed on a number of points, "new trust" emerged during exploratory talks. He voiced willingness to compromise on the anti-discrimination law, which the CDU committed to repealing during the campaign, and called for greater tenant protection and housing construction rather than expropriation to solve the housing crisis. He outlined the prospective coalition policy as ensuring the basics work: "making sure Berlin is a safe and clean city where police get modern equipment", with a mobility policy that works for everyone – drivers as well as cyclists and pedestrians. [7] [24]

Franziska Giffey said that the decision to seek a coalition with the CDU was influenced by "respect for the election result", as well as a desire to prevent a CDU–Green coalition, under which she claimed social issues would be left behind. She described the outgoing coalition as "crisis-ridden" for which she blamed the Greens, pointing to conflict over the SPD's 29-euro ticket policy and housing construction, and accused them of a lack of respect for her leadership. The Greens and Left expressed outrage at the SPD's decision; both claimed that they were not informed before the public announcement and that another round of talks had already been agreed on. Bettina Jarasch accused them of "slamming the door" and Silke Gebel described their actions as a breach of trust. Katina Schubert called it "incomprehensible", while Klaus Lederer said that responsibility lay solely with the SPD: "there is nothing insurmountable." The SPD's youth branch Jusos also spoke out in strong opposition to a coalition with the CDU, with chairman Peter Maaß describing the party as a real estate lobby. The group announced they would campaign to reject the coalition agreement when presented to the party membership for approval. [24] [25]

The CDU and SPD working groups began negotiations on 13 March. They planned to conclude a coalition pact within three weeks to give the SPD time for its membership vote, and install the new government at the start of May. Giffey clarified the same day that, if negotiations failed, the SPD would not resume talks with the Greens and Left, but go into opposition and force the CDU and Greens to form government instead. [26]

The CDU and SPD presented the 135-page coalition agreement on 3 April, titled The Best for Berlin. The terms were generally interpreted as a win for the SPD: despite the CDU's clear lead, the new Senate was to be divided evenly with five posts for each party. The crucial portfolios of urban development and interior were given to the SPD. The agreement also featured a number of flagship SPD policies on housing as well as the 29-euro ticket, and preserved the anti-discrimination law and automatic minimum wage increases, both of which the CDU had sought to repeal. This was attributed in part to the requirement that the SPD membership approve the coalition, which may have enticed the CDU to make concessions. [27] [28] [29]

The results of the SPD membership ballot were announced on 23 April. The coalition pact was approved by a narrow margin of 54.3%. [30] Of 18,556 members, 11,866 voted, corresponding to a turnout of 63.9%. 6,179 voted in favour and 5,200 voted against. [31] [32] The agreement was unanimously approved by the CDU at a party conference the following day and officially signed by both parties. [33]

Wegner was elected as mayor by the Abgeordnetenhaus on 27 April. He failed to win on the first two ballots, likely due to dissenting SPD deputies refusing to support him. [34] [35] After the second ballot, the parliamentary elder council was convened to clarify procedure and legal questions, since a third ballot for Governing Mayor had never taken place before. The Greens and Left unsuccessfully requested that the ballot be postponed. [36] Wegner was successful on the third ballot with 86 votes in favour, corresponding to the number of seats held by the incoming coalition. He received 70 votes against and three abstentions. The AfD claimed to have voted for him on the third ballot, criticising the coalition's "obvious inability" to create majorities and insisting they were taking on responsibility. Wegner rejected the suggestion that he garnered any support from AfD deputies. Since the voting was conducted via secret ballot, the AfD's claim cannot be verified, and it is unclear whether Wegner relied on their votes for his election. The SPD faction suggested that the AfD were spreading misinformation, and claimed that the AfD faction did not vote for Wegner. [8] [37] [38]

Governing Mayor election
Kai Wegner (CDU) [39]
Ballot →27 April 2023
Required majority →80 out of 15980 out of 159Simple majority
For
71 / 159
X mark.svg
79 / 159
X mark.svg
86 / 159
Yes check.svg
Against
86 / 159
79 / 159
70 / 159
Abstentions
1 / 159
1 / 159
3 / 159
Invalid
1 / 159
0 / 159
0 / 159

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