Germany’s far-left party Die Linke has signaled intentions to bring the major publishing house Axel Springer into public ownership, reviving a controversial debate that dates back to the 1960s. Martha Kleeförder, a newly elected member of the Berlin house of representatives representing Die Linke, publicly called for the expropriation of Axel Springer, the publisher known for its conservative-leaning tabloid, Bild.
In a recent Instagram post, Kleeförder echoed slogans from a 1960s student movement that sought to seize control of Axel Springer due to its political stance. She referenced Rudi Dutschke, a prominent leader from that era who was shot by right-wing extremists in 1968, signaling her party’s renewed commitment to challenging the publisher’s influence.
Die Linke’s surge in Berlin’s state elections on September 20, where it secured 25 percent of the vote and emerged as a significant political force, fuels speculation about the potential for such expropriation measures. The party also advocates for the public takeover of large private housing companies in Berlin as a solution to the city’s housing crisis. Their manifesto proposed expropriating approximately 200,000 apartments to curb rising rents and alleviate pressure on tenants.
German constitutional law permits limited expropriation of private businesses “for the public good,” a clause Die Linke cites as legal grounding for its proposals. However, the party faces challenges beyond policy. It is struggling to form a governing coalition with other left-leaning parties amid controversies involving its members’ associations with Hamas supporters and alleged connections to criminal elements.
Elif Eralp, the leader of Die Linke in Berlin and a popular figure among liberal voters, has been the public face of the party’s platform. Her approach has drawn comparisons to other progressive politicians such as New York’s populist mayor Zohran Mamdani. Eralp’s housing policy remains a central focus, aiming to address Berlin’s rising rent prices, which have soared nearly 70 percent over the past decade.
Critics, including property developers like Emanuel Heisenberg, warn the expropriation strategy could exacerbate the housing shortage. Heisenberg expressed concerns that compensating private companies at a fraction of their market value would destabilize the sector, reduce investment incentives, and ultimately hinder new construction projects.
Axel Springer declined to comment on the calls for expropriation or any potential government intervention. The unfolding political dynamics in Berlin will likely determine whether Die Linke’s ambitious proposals can be realized or remain largely symbolic efforts aligned with the party’s ideological roots.