Berlin Senate Hits Record Low Approval Before State Election

Introduction

Berlin is approaching a state parliament (Abgeordnetenhaus) election, and the mood among residents is notably sour. A new poll conducted by Infratest Dimap finds that only one in five Berliners is currently satisfied with the work of the city's Senate — the governing body of the German capital. According to the poll, this makes the Berlin Senate the least popular regional government in Germany ahead of any election in recent times. For expats and immigrants living in Berlin, local government performance has a direct bearing on housing, public services, integration programmes, and the administration of foreigners' affairs.

What the Poll Shows

The Infratest Dimap survey, released ahead of the upcoming Abgeordnetenhaus election, paints a stark picture of public dissatisfaction in Berlin. Only around one in five residents expresses satisfaction with how the Senate is doing its job. The poll places the current Berlin state government at a historically low approval rating compared to other German regional governments in pre-election periods.

While the poll does not detail which specific policy areas are driving dissatisfaction, Berlin has faced sustained public debate over issues such as housing affordability, the pace of digitising public administration, transport infrastructure, and the quality of integration services — all topics that touch the daily lives of the city's large international community.

Why This Matters for Expats in Berlin

Berlin is home to one of Germany's largest expat and immigrant populations. The Senate is responsible for key decisions that directly affect foreign residents, including:

• Housing policy: Berlin's rental market remains one of the tightest in Germany, and Senate decisions on rent controls, social housing, and urban development shape what is available and at what price.
• Public administration: The Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' registration office) operates under the Senate's oversight. Staffing levels, digitalisation efforts, and appointment availability are all influenced by Senate priorities and budget decisions.
• Integration services: Funding for Integrationskurs programmes, language support, and community outreach is partly determined at the state level.
• Education and childcare: For families, Senate policy on school places and Kita (daycare) availability is a daily reality.

When a governing Senate is under significant political pressure ahead of an election, priorities can shift — sometimes leading to policy announcements or spending commitments designed to address public concerns before voters go to the polls.

What Could Change After the Election

A state parliament election creates the possibility of a change in the governing coalition. Depending on the result, Berlin could see new priorities in housing, migration administration, and public services. For foreign residents, a change in Senate composition can mean shifts in the political tone around migration and integration — though the practical administration of permits and registrations continues regardless of which parties form a government.

It is worth following local Berlin news sources and official Senate communications in the lead-up to and aftermath of the election, particularly for any announcements that touch on Ausländerbehörde operations or housing assistance programmes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Berlin state election affect my residence permit or Anmeldung?

Your Anmeldung (registration) and Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) processes are administered through fixed legal frameworks at the federal and state level. Elections do not interrupt these processes, though longer-term policy changes after a new Senate is formed could eventually affect staffing and service levels at the Ausländerbehörde. If you have pending applications, continue to follow up through official channels as normal.

Can expats vote in Berlin state elections?

EU citizens resident in Berlin can vote in European Parliament elections, but voting in German state (Landtag/Abgeordnetenhaus) elections is generally reserved for German citizens. If you hold German citizenship or dual citizenship, you are eligible to vote. For detailed eligibility information, check with the official Berlin election authority.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The record low approval rating for Berlin's Senate signals a politically charged pre-election period in the capital. For expats and immigrants, the most practical step is to stay informed about election results and any subsequent policy announcements — particularly those relating to housing, public administration, and integration services. Monitor official Senate and Berlin state government communications for updates that could affect your daily life in the city.

Source: tagesschau