The Supreme Court's abolition of the Berlin "rent limit" meant major rent rises, arrears and hardship for hundreds of thousands of people. The ruling, which exacerbates homelessness in the midst of the coronaviral crisis, is a signal to all of Germany and is symbolic of Germany and Europe's inhumane enrichment policies. Main suppliers
On Thursday, the Special UN Rapporteur on housing rights, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, spoke on Twitter of a "profoundly troubling decision" and warned that, referring to the pandemic, the Germany government has yet an international legal duty to protect the rights of tenants to housing."
In spite of COVID-19's attack, more than 10,000 people participated in spontaneous protests that day. Unlike government funding for marches by right-wing radicals and coronavirus deniers, after two speeches, the police of Berlin violently broke the peaceful rally outside Kottbusser Tor.
The anti-trust officers, hundreds then mobilized in full riot equipment, used mace against protesters and physically wounded at least one journalist who described himself as such. Other video footage documents that a demonstrator is kicked on the ground by a police officer who is then restricted by other police officers.
On social media large sections of workers and young people combined their indignation at the social conditions in Berlin and a willingness to fight capitalist exploitation and enrichment with a so-called Red Green Senate (the Social Democrats' State Executive Alliance, the Left Party and the Greens).
A viral Facebook entry by Ganden O is typical of the mood. '(property company) Deutsche Wohnen made more money on the stock exchange today alone after the decision than the former GSW social housing provider's poor tenants have to repay and can hardly afford after rent has been boosted 3 times in 3 years before.' He said that the entire political institution, from the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) to the left, is accountable for it.
"Which party in the autumn election represents people like me? Both parties sold us to Deutsche Wohnen and deceived us." Although the rulers still "lined up their pockets in times of need," he wrote, "we lose our homes." "There is an issue with us people and only an option between plague, cholera and syphilis."
Reporters and members of the IYSSE spoke to the tenants about the demand to expropriate all housing companies without compensation, and circulated the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) manifesto for the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) elections, which opposes the agenda of social inequality in the established countries.
"I share a 30 square meter single room apartment with my boyfriend," said demonstrator Tamara, 37, who moved from Italy to Berlin ten years ago. "We needed more rooms, but first he didn't have enough money. Many of our friends need an apartment, for instance, because they have become parents or live in unsafe conditions. For two and a half years, a friend of mine has been searching for an affordable apartment. There are just luxury flats everywhere you look. In the meantime, more and more people live along the canal in tents. It's a view that makes me shocked in one of the world's richest countries."
Tamara, whose partner found a new job only in January, is a freelance translator and since February has also been looking for jobs. 'The Court decision means for every one of us 100 euros more rent per month, which we have to pay in arrears for the last year as well. For several others, it means between EUR 400 and EUR 600 per month and thus a sum of many thousand. We had hoped that we could actually afford better lodging." This especially affected working-class young people, she said.
"For instance, many people who wanted to start a family have rented more rooms, and now they have to pay extra. Politicians have not warned us to put money aside. Now we have to pay for what they have fucked up. Many young families, such as students, would have to share their flats—and students cannot afford to live here first. It's exasperating and, in my view, emblematic of Berlin's bad government."
It was also a disaster, said Tamara, that this creation took place in the middle of the destruction of the coronavirus pandemic. "Last year, several people lost their employment. The owners are not sympathetic to this. A friend yesterday received an e-mail requesting payment within seven days, although such a limited time limit is illegal. Many owners choose to sell in the past year – resulting in more apartments going to the wealthiest citizens. This crisis has undeniably made me much more mindful of problems such as housing rights, wellbeing and the rights of workers."
Expropriating rent sharks "will be a fantasy," Tamara said without reimbursement. "You could use the impact of 'coronavirus' while simultaneously converting empty offices, parking and shopping centers for social housing and other much-needed services in the city centre. Housing is a human right and basic housing should not be profited."
Tamara was also of the opinion that the expropriating campaign of property companies should lead to an expanded working class movement across Europe that would also aim at combating austerity, climate change, refugee abductions and fascism: "Until the last homeless individual in Europe has a roof over his head!"
"No one can live on or in a tent on the street," she said. "I felt my homeland was much more corrupt than other European countries until recently. Maybe that is true, but every day, particularly in Germany, I read about scandals everywhere." After all, a "revolution" was "the logical result of what we face."
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) campaign for federal elections is therefore timely. "The whole system is unethical," said Tamara. "Any who don't want to make money before lives will not reach their top – I hope your candidates will reject this law!"
"I believe 100% that housing companies must be expropriated," said Demonstrator Constance. Two years ago, she came to Berlin as a refugee from Chicago after she was a survivor of targeted police brutality in the United States. "Throughout my whole life, I have had to struggle against the danger of homelessness," she said.