The German Green Party is holding a big conference this weekend (actually started yesterday morning)....in Bielefeld. Several minutes were spent last night on the primary public news to lay out the weekend and objectives. So what you should take away with this?
First, the Greens want to write into the Constitution a right to housing. They aren't really saying a lot about how the words will reflect the situation, or how each metropolitan region would correct current problems. Nor are they saying much over affordable housing shortages in major cities.
Cost impact? You just don't know....it could get into the tens of billions spent over five years to correct problems, with angry people voicing opposition to building new neighborhoods in 'protected' areas.
Second, the Greens want a federal law which dictates no more than a 3-percent rent increase per year. So if you came up and renovated a building....spending three years in this project, and pushed 7-million Euro into the renovation project, expecting to push the rent up by 40-percent at the end? Well, it wouldn't happen. Naturally, it begs the question then....why bother with renovation projects? If you were into property speculation and making money.....you'd just go and buy an 1960s apartment building, order everyone out, tear it down, and build a fresh new building at the correct rent that you desired. I know....it's harsh, but with their idea of fairness, there's not much incentive to renovate or update a building.
Third and final....Robert Habeck got up and delivered his Chancellor-speech. Dramatic piece....standing in front of a green leafy background....speaking almost like an American Southern Baptist minister.
For the Greens, he's probably the most noted member since the party began. He does project charisma and charm. Presently, I would suggest that neither the CDU or SPD have anyone to compete at his level.
Next Chancellor? Probably. But you have to wonder.....most of his chatter is about the climate, and catastrophic events to come in the future. Green voters may come out in maximum numbers, but more than two-thirds of German society will vote for someone else....it's just that votes are so divided....the Greens might actually win.
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