++ Live ticker for the Berlin election: Polling stations are open ++

Berlin Election ++ Berlin Polling Stations Are Open ++

Berlin is facing an election once again – following the repeat election in 2023, 2.5 million people in the capital are once again called upon to cast their votes. This is possible until 6 p.m.

Who will move into the Red City Hall? Since 8 a.m., around 2.5 million Berliners have been able to cast their votes in the House of Representatives election. The more than 2,500 polling stations are open until 6 p.m. All German citizens who have reached the age of 16 on election day and have had their primary residence in the capital for at least three consecutive months are eligible to vote.

The Berlin Police is securing the elections with around 1,100 additional officers. The officers have been deployed additionally across the city since 10 a.m., a police spokesperson told news agency dpa. The focus is on protecting the more than 2,500 polling stations in total, the House of Representatives, and government buildings.

Officers are also ensuring that there is no unlawful influencing in the vicinity of polling stations. Under state election law, for example, larger rallies are not permitted within a radius of 30 meters of polling stations.

Housing shortages and high rents are by far the most important issue for Berliners in this election. Tagesthemen presenter Jörg Schönenborn visited a family for whom this issue has suddenly come to dominate their entire life.

In the last House of Representatives election in 2023, 34 parties were still approved to stand; this year there are only 17. Certain requirements must be met for approval, and some parties that stood in 2023 either do not meet these requirements this time or have chosen not to run again.

The situation remains difficult for smaller parties nonetheless: according to the current BerlinTrend poll, eleven of the 17 parties are polling below three percent.

According to the latest ARD pre-election poll from September 10, it is expected to be a close race in Berlin. According to the poll, Die Linke is at 21 percent, with the CDU – currently governing alongside the SPD – close behind at 20 percent. Third place would go to the AfD with 18 percent. The Greens would receive 16 percent and the SPD 12 percent. The BSW, running for the first time, would fall short of entering the Red City Hall with 4 percent.

Welcome to our live blog on the Berlin House of Representatives election. Over the coming hours, we will keep you up to date on all developments here. If you are eligible to vote today and are still undecided, the Wahl-O-Mat may be able to help you make your decision.

You can find our overview page with all topics related to the House of Representatives election here: