Berlin is preparing for a highly competitive state parliament election this Sunday, with polls indicating a close race between the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the far-left Die Linke (The Left party). These two frontrunners are followed in the polls by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Greens, and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). While the exact governing coalitions will not be known until after the ballots are counted, current polling suggests that both the CDU and Die Linke are hoping to lead the next state administration. Mainstream parties have consistently ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, making it highly unlikely that the far-right party will enter the Berlin state government. Although state-level governments in Germany have limited powers to directly enact immigration and citizenship legislation, their local enforcement strategies and policy advocacy carry significant weight. For the capital's large population of foreign residents, the distinct manifestos of the major parties offer vastly different visions for immigration and integration.
Die Linke positions itself as an immigration-friendly party, asserting in its election manifesto that Berlin "is and has always been shaped by various waves of immigration and displacement." The party states that "this diversity makes Berlin a city worth living in and loving," and declares that "as the Left, we defend this open and diverse society, as well as the right to flee and migrate." Die Linke campaigns for equal rights for all Berliners, "regardless of whether they were born here or have lived here for years or only a short time." The party is aiming for a "fundamental shift in policy – towards global freedom of movement, equal rights for all and a society based on solidarity with migrants." To achieve this, Die Linke plans to exhaust all legal avenues under state law to grant non-German citizens the right to vote and stand for election after a maximum of five years of residence in Germany.
On citizenship, the party argues that "naturalisation must be made accessible regardless of income and without the requirement of demeaning naturalisation or language tests." They pledge to utilize all available state-level scope, exceptions, and hardship provisions to facilitate more naturalizations and ensure the state office for immigration operates with sensitivity to discrimination. Additionally, the party proposes a "city ID card," modeled on programs in New York and Zurich, to improve resource access for undocumented individuals.
The Greens center their election platform on human rights, demanding that Berlin provide comprehensive support and rights to refugees from the moment they arrive. This includes immediate access to housing, healthcare, education, and employment. The Greens strongly oppose deportations to countries where individuals face serious risks, arguing that deportations should only be used in exceptional circumstances. To address labor shortages, the party aims to "specifically recruit international professionals and qualified graduates, particularly from the tech sector." They advocate for cutting red tape and speeding up administrative procedures to simplify skilled migration, while also ensuring that skilled workers can move to Germany with their families. Furthermore, the Greens want to transform Berlin's immigration authority, the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA), into a "welcoming authority." While their current manifesto does not focus extensively on citizenship, the party has historically supported measures to make naturalization easier.
The Social Democrats (SPD) similarly emphasize that Berlin "has always been a city shaped by immigration" and that this legacy "defines who we are." The party promotes diversity, prioritizing "openness, participation and integration." In its platform, the SPD calls for providing refugees with immediate opportunities to work and ensuring that those seeking protection gain access to integration resources as quickly as possible. However, the SPD also supports the deportation of individuals who have no legal right to remain in the country, particularly serious offenders. To address an aging society and a growing shortage of skilled labor, the SPD supports expanding labor migration and streamlining the recognition of foreign qualifications.
"Migration has made our economy strong," the party's manifesto states. "Now, the shortage of skilled workers is growing once again and our society is ageing. That is why we will continue to need labour migration in the future, and to this end we will significantly simplify and speed up the recognition of foreign qualifications." On citizenship, the SPD wants to actively encourage eligible residents to become German citizens, stating, "We want all Berliners to have a say in democratic decision-making." The party plans to reach out directly to qualified residents of migrant backgrounds to "win them over to naturalisation, equal rights and democracy."
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) takes a significantly tougher stance on migration and asylum, in line with its federal platform. The CDU wants to see stricter controls on migration, a reduction in irregular migration, and the enforcement of ordered deportations, particularly for criminal offenders. Integration is a core theme throughout the CDU manifesto. While the party welcomes Berlin's diversity, it states that "social cohesion does not happen by itself. It requires clear rules, mutual respect and an integration policy that opens up opportunities and demands responsibility." The CDU expects those living in Berlin and Germany, whether permanently or temporarily, to integrate into society by "being open to our culture, respecting our legal system and values, and learning the German language." To facilitate this, the party plans to expand German language courses at adult education centers (Volkshochschulen), adding that "anyone wishing to live and work in Berlin must demonstrate a willingness to learn German and actively integrate." Despite its strict stance on irregular migration, the CDU supports international skilled workers, local businesses, and training providers, promising to accelerate the recognition of foreign qualifications.
They also propose a mentoring program based on the Canadian model, where volunteers support new immigrants in their daily lives to help them settle in.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) proposes the most restrictive policies, opening its platform section with the declaration: "Germany is not a country of immigration." The party rejects "all forms of uncontrolled migration" and calls for significantly tightened policies regarding asylum seekers and refugees. In line with its federal stance, the AfD campaigns for "remigration," a controversial term used to describe mass deportations, which in some far-right circles also refers to the removal of non-assimilated citizens. Specifically, the AfD calls for the "immediate deportation of all those required to leave the country – up to 20,000 people – from Berlin." Regarding citizenship, the party demands "an immediate halt" to naturalizations and applications in Berlin while investigations are conducted into alleged irregularities involving falsified language and naturalization tests.
They assert that naturalizations should be reversed if they are found to be "unlawful or obtained through deception." Following the federal relaxation of naturalization rules in 2024, the AfD argues that "German citizenship must not be given away" and demands that rules be significantly tightened. Additionally, the party strongly opposes dual citizenship, claiming that holding more than one passport promotes loyalty conflicts.
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