Berlin repeats its chaotic regional elections

BERLIN (AP) — The city of Berlin on Sunday repeated by court order the chaotic 2021 state election, marred by serious problems at many polling stations that led to hours of waiting in some places where there were no more ballots or who received ballots from the wrong wards. .

Berliners have been frustrated for years with the capital’s well-known dysfunction, which has defied clichés of German efficiency and made the city the laughing stock of the rest of the country.

The constitutional court in Berlin, one of three German cities that is also a state in its own right, declared the vote void in November. The court concluded that a partial repetition would not suffice “in view of the large number and seriousness of the electoral errors”.

The decision was made following complaints from various political parties and government entities regarding the September 26, 2021 vote in the state legislature.

Berlin held four elections that day: the regional elections, those of the city’s 12 district assemblies, the German national elections and a local referendum. The Berlin Marathon, also held that day, added to the logistical complications.

Long queues formed at many polling stations as voters struggled with the large number of ballots. Some polling stations ran out of ballots and others received ballots from another district, resulting in a large number of votes being voided.

Another problem was that the elections were due to end at 6:00 p.m., but voters who were still queuing at that time were allowed to cast their ballots, even though polling stations were already public.

Franziska Giffey, who belongs to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, was elected Berlin’s new mayor in 2021 and governed in a three-party left-wing coalition. The 44-year-old mayor is again a candidate.

The Green Party candidate was Bettina Jarasch, Senator for Environment and Mobility. Klaus Lederer, senator for culture, was a candidate for Die Linke. Both were Giffey coalition partners.

Kai Wegner was the leading candidate for the center-right Christian Democratic Union, which was leading in the polls.

Latest polls showed the Christian Democrats in the lead, followed by the Social Democrats and the Greens, although other parties were expected to win significant shares of the vote.

Poll estimates left open the question of who would be Berlin’s next mayor, as there were several possible coalitions.

One of the most pressing issues was the city’s housing market. Rising rents and homelessness have virtually eliminated affordable housing options for many middle-class families.

Berliners would also like to put an end to certain sources of frustration in their city.

Among the most infuriating problems are the long delay in the opening of the local airport and the fact that it is almost impossible to get an appointment with the citizen service centers to apply for a marriage license, s to register after a move or apply for a new passport.

The local school system is known for its dilapidated buildings and for its students who often score low in national rankings in reading, math and other subjects.

Yet despite many complaints, the city’s 3.6 million residents also love their city, renowned for its tolerance, vibrant culture and nightlife, and diversity.

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Liv Stroud contributed to this report.