Rent demonstration in Berlin: demands for the expropriation of real estate companies

Colorful flags fly in front of the Red Town Hall. A police officer estimates that a few thousand people came to the rent demonstration today. “Down with the rents!” shouts Uschi from the stage. She belongs to the organizer, the Alliance Against Rent Madness. “Bring on the apartments!” the audience chants back. This is the battle cry. “We want to expropriate the fat real estate companies!” says another spokeswoman. The enemy of the day is clear: corporations, speculators, landlords.

Shortly before the elections to the House of Representatives in two weeks, two developments can be observed in Berlin: Firstly, concern about affordable housing is turning into real fear. And secondly, the supposed solutions proposed are becoming more and more radical. There is danger in this mixture.