Berlin administrative reform: VBKI calls for swift implementation as part of a broad alliance

Around 20 organizations from civil society and business appeal to the political parties' sense of responsibility 

As part of a broad alliance from civil society and business, the VBKI has made an urgent appeal to Berlin's state politicians and called for the reform of Berlin's administration to be implemented swiftly and decisively. The participating organizations warn against delaying or even allowing this groundbreaking project for the future of the city to fail. Instead, the alliance is calling on the governing parties to do everything in their power to continue the project without delay and to pass the reform as planned during this legislative period. The background to the Alliance's position is the current debate on the shape and timetable of the reform.

The initiative is supported by around 20 organizations and associations, including the VBKI, the Architekten- und Ingenieurverein zu Berlin Brandenburg (AIV), the IHK Berlin, the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin (SZB) and the Verband Berlin - Brandenburgischer Wohnungsunternehmen e.V. (BBU).

The participating organizations are of the joint opinion that the reform must be adopted both by way of an amended state organization law (LOG) and by way of a constitutional amendment in order to provide the senate administrations with the urgently required supervisory instruments. Either comprehensive specialist supervision must be introduced or at least the Senate administrations' rights to intervene must be significantly expanded.

The initiative also calls for improved and transparent financing structures for the fulfillment of tasks at district level. The financing of the tasks assigned to the districts must be ensured. However, the initiative does not support a right of initiative of the Council of Mayors vis-à-vis the House of Representatives or even a right of appeal or other possibilities of objection. This would create additional bureaucracy. The initiative also views the proposed introduction of a so-called "district (protection) authority" with skepticism.     

In addition to the VBKI, the alliance consists of the following organizations: Stiftung Zukunft Berlin, Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Berlin Association of Architects and Engineers, Berlin Association of Administrative Lawyers, Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Berlin, medianet berlinbrandenburg, BBU Verband Berlin - Brandenburgischer Wohnungsunternehmen, Migrationsrat Berlin, DGB Bezirk Berlin-Brandenburg, Fachgemeinschaft Bau Berlin und Brandenburg.