• Berlin Wiki: Who Makes Decisions in the Districts?

    Berlin Wiki: Who Makes Decisions in the Districts?

    What Does a District Office Do? A Berlin district office (Bezirksamt) manages the administration of one of Berlin’s twelve districts and serves as the district’s political leadership. It consists of the district mayor and five district councillors (Bezirksstadträte), who are elected by the district assembly (Bezirksverordnetenversammlung, BVV). The district office implements adopted laws and policies. Like the Senate, the district office…

  • Migrants With Degrees Are Not What Germany Is Looking For

    Migrants With Degrees Are Not What Germany Is Looking For

    Education is a right, not a privilege. This idea has been a founding principle of modern democracies. In practice, however, access to education is far from guaranteed for everyone. As of this year, Germany has significantly restricted access to state-funded intermediate and advanced German courses for migrants participating voluntarily. Many rejected asylum seekers, people with insecure residence status, and migrants without…

  • Tempelhofer Feld: Berlin’s Most Emotional Urban Conflict Is Back 

    Tempelhofer Feld: Berlin’s Most Emotional Urban Conflict Is Back 

    We are approaching an election in September. Hopefully, you’re reading along in the Berlin Wiki to bone up on how stuff works in German elections, the lexicon, and the issues. Well, one of the issues we’re going to see debated concerns the Tempelhofer Feld. So let’s talk about that for a bit.  The other night, I was at 20% Berlin’s live…

  • Good Intentions Are Not Democratic Enough

    Good Intentions Are Not Democratic Enough

    “What you do for me, but without me, you do against me” — the exact origin of this quote is unclear. Nevertheless, it captures something that frequently happens in Germany when it comes to the political participation of historically excluded groups. Policies are supposedly made for migrants, yet not with them. Gender equality is debated while no women are involved in…

  • Berlin Wiki: Who Is Allowed to Vote – and Why Not Everyone Can

    Berlin Wiki: Who Is Allowed to Vote – and Why Not Everyone Can

    Who is allowed to vote, and who is not? In a democratic state like Germany, the right to vote is of central importance. It allows citizens to take part in political decision-making and help determine the composition of the government. In Germany, voters must meet certain requirements in order to vote. They must hold German citizenship and have reached the age…

  • Berlin Wiki: Party Profiles II – The Greens, The Left, the AfD and the BSW party

    Berlin Wiki: Party Profiles II – The Greens, The Left, the AfD and the BSW party

    What is the Green Party? Bündnis 90/Die Grünen is an important political force in the Berlin House of Representatives. Although the party has not been part of the government since the 2023 election, it operates from the opposition within parliament. Its guiding principle is ecological, economic, and social sustainability. It focuses on stronger climate protection, affordable housing, and a shift in…

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