#313: Elections in the East, fewer U-Bahns, lake for sale
On this day in 1978, a hijacked plan landed in Tempelhof
Hey 20 Percent!
Brace yourselves.
The former East German states of Thuringia and Saxony are voting on new state governments Sunday and the far-right AfD is expected to play a starring role. Polls show the AfD garnering about 30% of the votes and winning in Thuringia. It’s expected to come in second in Saxony with 30% behind the conservative CDU with 33%.
And then what?
The AfD’s biggest hope is to get 33% plus one vote in the elections to give them an automatic veto on major laws. Parties would then have to bargain with the AfD to discourage them from using the veto, giving them incalcuable power or leading to gridlock. They would have a similar veto in the approval of judges, including constitutional court judges.
Not to mention neo-Nazis and other radicals feeling emboldened that public opinion is on their side.
Other parties are already sliding right, especially on immigration and asylum, so they may be able to prevent a landslide and permanent damage.
We’ll let you know how it turns out next week.
Have a good weekend — it’s supposed to storm later Friday and then be hot again for the weekend.
Andrew
Reminder, if you speak decent German: I’m doing my solo comedy show “Accidentally German” auf Deutsch at the new Downstairs Comedy Club in Mitte on September 19. Feel free to book the discounted (ermäßigt) tickets because you’re a 20 Percent reader! 🎫 Karten (tickets) 🎫
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BVG reduces subway frequency to improve service
Yes, the U-Bahn is coming less often. BVG is cutting the frequency on several subway lines in hopes of reducing the need for repairs and making the service more reliable. Starting Monday:
U2 will arrive every 4.5 minutes, down from 4
U1 reduced to Nollendorfplatz ↔️ Uhlandstr. during peak
U4 Nollendorfplatz ↔️ Innsbrucker Platz 6-7 minutes all day (was 5 peak, 10 off-peak)
U9 at peak every 5 minutes rather than 4 to get trains repaired
The new schedule runs until July 24, 2025 although the BVG says new trains that will begin arriving in the fourth quarter should lead to improvement. However, German railways are about as reliable as your ex. Addendum: The U5 and U8 will be equipped for driverless operation beginning in 2029 and 2032, respectively, according to Tagesspiegel. Even though driverless subways are used safely throughout the world, one can never be too careful with new fangled things in Germany.
Wanna go halfsies on a lake?
The sell-out of Berlin continues. Today, a popular Brandenburg lake is (again) on the auction block. Most of the Wandlitzer See, north of Berlin with a popular beach, has been offered to the local village, which is unsure if it has the cash to buy, according to RBB24. Politicians say a purchase may not be necessary — the public has had access to the lake in the last two decades where it was in private hands. The lake originally belonged to local royalty but was sold in the late 19th century. It was reposessed by East Germany and the agency tasked with selling East German agricultural real estate sold it to a Dusseldorf property investor in 2003 for €350,000.
Ankle bracelets for abusive partners
Berlin justice minister Felor Badenberg (CDU) wants to introduce ankle bracelets to better protect women who have won a no-contact order over their abusive partners, according to the Morgenpost. The women would receive a warning if their ankle-bracelet-wearing partners were nearby. A 36-year-old mother of four was murdered Wednesday by her 50-year-old abusive ex in an apparent honor killing — the man was forbidden by a Berlin court from contacting the woman. Ankle bracelet laws must be passed by state governments and aren’t currently allowed in Berlin. The man — a member of a local crime family — remains in protective custody.
One of two Tempelhof items today
Grün, the office that oversees Berlin open space development, late this month began improving the six access points in Neukölln to Tempelhofer Feld. The gates will be made larger and the agency is creating five new activity areas for all ages of visitors — the work won’t be complete until the end of 2025 and you can check here which gates are currently open or closed for construction. The additions will include 2 84-meter benches as well as 176 bike stands. The work began in 2023 with the addition of water, sewage and electricity lines and will cost a total €10.8 million. Two accessible bathrooms have already been installed. Have fun!
Germany-wide news
✈️ Germany resumes deportations to Afghanistan
🟥 The cult of leftist Sarah Wagenknecht
🟫 The trial of the leader of Germany’s far-right
🆘 Coalition government unveils weapons, immigration measures
Factoid
An East German couple on this day in 1978 hijacked an airplane while on a LOT airlines flight from Gdansk, forced it to land at Tempelhof in West Berlin and asked for asylum. Their 10-year-old daughter was on the plane and 7 other East German passengers also took the opportunity to flee. The man was later sentenced to nine months by US authorities for hostage-taking; his wife was freed on a technicality. The pair had intended to flea across the Baltic Sea but when an accomplice didn’t show up, they correctly assumed their plot had been uncovered, making their return to East Germany even more perilous.
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