#354: Grüne #metoo scandal, U5 accident, public transport app
Thieves love blowing up ATMs
Hey 20 Percent,
I woke up frustrated by the machinations on the other side of the Atlantic and of course bemoaned the all-or-nothing American political system. But then I ran into the list of parties on February’s ballot in Berlin (the parties on the ballot vary by state).
There are 25! Twenty-five. Two times ten and then add a five.
I was disheartened to see the Partei für schulmedizinische Verjüngungsforschung (The Party for Human Rejuvenation Research) isn’t on the list because I loved their posters. They want the EU to dedicate €40 billion for research into making us live forever, which is a pretty extreme way to live out your mid-life crisis.
My perennial favorite is the Partei Mensch Umwelt Tierschutz (Party for People, Environment, Animal Protection), better known as the Tierschutzpartei (Animal Protection Party), because, as a hobby vegan, it seems a worthy cause but single-issue parties always seem fated for failure. Schadenfreude! But they’re on the ballot!
There’s also the Marxist-Leninist Party. I realize those ideologies are out there, and have some real-world applications, but their posters always make me feel like I’m trying to scrape together enough from my 1920s factory job to move out of a Brooklyn flophouse and start a family in the burgeoning suburbs of New Jersey.
The other night I watched a group of teenagers take down posters from the conservative CDU in my street. They were engaged in an amazingly intelligent dialogue about the parties in the February election.
That’s how I prefer my Berlin teenagers: intelligent but also willing to commit misdemeanors.
Have a good week!
Andrew
As always, please check out this issue’s sponsor: insurer Feather.
A #metoo scandal that isn’t but also is
Public broadcaster RBB has removed several reports related to a #metoo scandal that cost federal parliamentarian Stefan Gelbhaar (Die Grüne) his job after a rival fabricated a persona to launch several false accusations, according to Tagesspiegel. The broadcaster says a sworn statement from Anne K. was fake and the persona fabricated by a rival, who also submitted several anonymous accusations (the rival has since resigned from all positions in the party and well as cancelled her membership). Gelbhaar removed himself from the ballot in the February election following the scandal — he has represented Pankow in the Bundestag since 2017 and was a shoe-in for re-election (his party always wins in affluent Pankow). However, at least seven accusations remain against Gelbhaar, RBB reported, and an investigation into his actions will proceed. Gelbhaar’s replacement in the election, Julia Schneider, has no plans to hand the mandate back to Gelbhaar and is not involved in the accusations.
Fatal accident on the U5
A reminder to be careful out there (and watch out for each other): A 68-year-old man in a wheelchair died in a subway accident Saturday at Brandenburger Tor, according to T-Online. The man was apparently trying to back into the subway when his wheel got caught between the door and the gap between the platform and the U5. The man was then dragged as the train left the station before colliding with a wall and falling into the railbed. The accident is under investigation.
Hamburg and Berlin getting that much closer
It’s going to take some time but I still say: F*cking finally. BVG and its compatriot in Hamburg are developing a combination app that will give real-time updates on the location of that bus, tram or subway you’re waiting for in both cities (you know, like your Uber app), according to T-Online. It should be available in a year. The app would also include ticketing as well as the ability to book e-scooters and rental cars (like the Jelbi app). I say finally because one thing I find frustrating is discovering useful technology in other German cities that agencies in Berlin claim doesn’t exist. Linking up like BVG and its Hamburgian counterpart saves effort and money, and unifies interfaces, making it easier to navigate non-Berlin cities. Berlin acts like it always has to re-invent the wheel (and it’s really bad at inventing wheels).
Events this week, curated by The Next Day Berlin
📽️ British Shorts 2025
Thu-Wed, 23-29.01, multiple venues: Sputnik Kino, Acud Kino, City Kino Wedding, Kino Intimes, Xenon Kino.
The British Shorts festival presents over 150 short films spanning drama, comedy, sci-fi, and more. Highlights include live music, workshops, and a Q&A with director Peter Strickland after “The Hypnotic Explorations.” On Saturday, don’t miss Matching Outfits, a Berlin indie-pop trio offering heartfelt lyrics and lush harmonies.
🕺🏽Tanztage Berlin 2025
Until 25.01. Sophiensaele, Sophienstr. 18, 10178 Berlin. Tickets: €10-15.
The 34th edition of the Tanztage festival continues through this weekend, presenting 10 works celebrating Berlin’s emerging dance scene.
👂Listen Listen
Saturday, 25.01, 3 pm - 4 am. 90mil, Holzmarktstr. 19-23, 10243 Berlin. Free entry.
This cozy day-to-night event blends experimental, ambient, and electronic music. It features live sets, DJ performances, a record shop, food pop-ups, and art exhibitions. Sofas and carpets set the mood for connecting, exploring, and dancing. 🎧 Listen Listen
🖼️ From Odessa to Berlin: European Painting of the 16th to 19th Century
From 24.01 until 22.06.2025. Tue-Sun, 10 am - 6 pm. Gemäldegalerie, Matthäikirchplatz 4/6, 10785 Berlin. Tickets: €8/16
Sixty paintings from Odessa’s Museum of Western and Eastern Art meet Berlin’s collection. It’s a unique German-Ukrainian opportunity to explore shared cultural histories and connections.
🍺 🥨 Germany-wide news 🥨 🍺
😟 German ambassador worried about Trump
🚬 Smoker leaps on to train coupling after missing train
🚗 Semantics: Magdeburg attack was not terrorism
💶 Economy minister: EU ready for Trump tariffs
Factoid
Crooks blew up a record 44 ATMs last year in Berlin to get to the cash within, according to Tagesschau. A near-threefold increase over the 17 in 2023. Police nearly arrested two suspects wanted in connection with the attacks in Neukölln last year but they absconded across S-Bahn tracks. One of the suspects was later found dead in Lower Saxony after explosives apparently intended for a caper blew up in his house.
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"One of the suspects was later found dead in Lower Saxony after explosives apparently intended for a caper blew up in his house. "
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"Trouble happens when you least expect it, and sometimes an innocent mistake can cost a decent amount of money"
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