NEWS FROM BERLIN
Deutsche Wohnen & Co welcomes SPD grassroots push for a quick implementation of referendum
The SPD district associations of Mitte and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg have made public a motion for the state party conference in which they demand the implementation of the referendum within one year. The Intiative Deutsche Wohnen & Co Enteignen welcomes the SPD base’s push for a quick implementation of the referendum. If Franziska Giffey continues to delay the clear work order to expropriate Deutsche Wohnen and Co, she is not only going against almost 60 percent of the voters – but also against her own party base,” says Carmel Fuhg, spokesperson for the initiative. Source: DWE
S-Bahn privatisation may be not possible
At the special party conference of Berlin’s Left Party a fortnight ago, at which it was decided to (re)start the current coalition, the Left Party (“die Linke”) parliamentary group leader in the House of Representatives, Carsten Schatz, remarked: “We have agreed on the municipalisation of the S-Bahn.” However, there was no mention of this in the exploratory paper agreed between the three parties for the continuation of the “Red-Red-Green” government. Also, there is much to suggest that in the end DB, in the form of its subsidiary S-Bahn Berlin GmbH, will continue to be the sole operator of the entire network after 2027. Source: jW
NEWS FROM GERMANY
“die Linke” demands 200 euros for those at risk of poverty
Against the background of increased consumer and energy prices, the Left Party (“die Linke”) is proposing a one-time payment of 200 euros for poorer people. “We have to react if we want people not to freeze in winter,” said party leader Susanne Hennig-Wellsow in Berlin. According to the Left Party leaders, the 200 euros should be paid out on 1 December to about 13 million people at risk of poverty. The one-off payment would at the same time act as an economic stimulus package. In addition to the one-off payment, the proposal also includes an immediate increase of Hartz IV at the rate of inflation. Source: Berliner Zeitung
Former head of the LKA supports a study on racism in the police force
Sabine Thurau, retired president of the Hessian State Criminal Police Office (LKA), has called for a study on the prevalence of right-wing extremism and misogyny in the police. “Such a study can be very helpful, even vital, not only for society but also for the police themselves,” she said. For Thurau, the police is still a “very well-functioning organisation”, but she also notes “a deeply worrying, critical development”. Thurau retired when she reached the age limit on 31 March. Her term of office included, among others, the search for the author of the right-wing extremist “NSU 2.0” threatening letters. Source; islamiq
Far right Bessin runs as candidate for AfD chairperson in Brandenburg
The AfD member of the state parliament Birgit Bessin wants to run for the state chairmanship of her party in Brandenburg. At a press conference in Potsdam on Wednesday, the current deputy state leader announced her candidacy for the executive board election at a state party conference on 20 and 21 November in Prenzlau. She is running to succeed former state party leader Andreas Kalbitz, whose party membership was revoked first by the AfD federal executive and then by the AfD federal arbitration court last year. The 43-year-old Bessin is considered a confidante of Kalbitz and, like him, stands for the AfD’s far-right course. Source: rbb
Left challenges market model on environment
In view of rising energy prices, the Left Party (“die Linke”) parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch is proposing the cancellation the next stage of the CO2 price increase. This is a 20% increase which is planned for January. Instead, he said, the future federal government should “put the entire market model to the test”. Energy prices are out of control, according to Bartsch, and the upcoming winter threatens to be particularly expensive for people. Over the weekend, CSU leader Söder has spoken out in favour of a reduced VAT rate on energy and fuel to relieve the burden on consumers. Source: deutschlandfunk
