Steffen Krach criticizes federal plans to block housing reforms, calling for stronger tenant protections instead.

Berlin SPD’s top candidate, Steffen Krach, has sharply criticized the federal government’s proposal to prevent the nationalization of large housing companies through legislation. Speaking to WELT, Krach stated, ‘I don’t need tutoring from the federal government on Berlin’s housing market.’ He emphasized his opposition to expropriations but urged CDU leaders Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder to stop blocking state-level rent cap measures.

The debate comes amid soaring rents in Berlin, which have risen by 69% since 2016, far outpacing the national average of 43%. The SPD has been advocating for a legal framework allowing states to introduce rent caps in high-demand markets. However, the coalition government’s recent decision to prioritize private housing development has shifted the focus away from tenant protections. With the SPD polling at just 13% ahead of the Berlin elections, housing policy remains a critical issue in the campaign.