- SPD wants to enshrine privatization in the constitution
The Berlin SPD demands high hurdles for the sale of state-owned companies and wants to change the Berlin constitution for this purpose. "I want to protect future generations from the assets of Berliners being sold off again at the expense of schnitzel and red wine - we've seen it all before," SPD faction leader Raed Saleh told the German Press Agency. "We are aiming for a privatization brake in the state constitution. Bremen has already done this. My faction supports this project. We are now working on a corresponding application."
Saleh had already explained in December 2021 in a speech in the House of Representatives that he considered it sensible to include a privatization brake for public companies serving the common good in the constitution. The SPD faction wants to push this project forward after the summer break, but is dependent on the coalition partner CDU and needs a two-thirds majority in parliament for a change to the state constitution.
"Let me just say: not with us"
"Especially in times of tight budgets, many consultants and lobbyists come and try to sell Berlin's silverware," Saleh warned. "I also appeal to the coalition partner to support our way."
"But there are also one or two in the CDU who have already mentioned that sales can be started again. It is talked about a partial sale of the airport or the sale of the trade fair," the SPD politician said. "Let me just say: not with us. I want the hurdles for sales to be increased so drastically that one does not play lightly with the assets of Berliners."
The SPD sees Bremen as a model
Saleh considers the Bremen model worth considering: The federal state decided in 2012 to only allow the privatization of public companies if there is a majority vote in a referendum.
"Especially now, in a financially strained situation, one must also protect future generations from making hasty decisions that are then difficult to repair," Saleh explained. "We will demand a privatization brake from our coalition partner as the SPD faction."
The SPD faction appreciates Bremen's approach, as the state decided in 2012 to require a majority vote in a referendum before privatizing public companies. This approach is being considered as a model by the SPD. The German Press Agency reported Saleh's stance against selling off state assets, emphasizing his desire for significant hurdles to privatization to discourage hasty decisions that could negatively impact future generations.
