The constitutional court decides today: Berlin shortly before car -free life!

The constitutional court decides today: Berlin shortly before car -free life!

Otto-Braun-Straße 72, 10178 Berlin, Deutschland - in Berlin is a crucial day: on 25. June 2025 The Constitutional Court will decide on the admissibility of a referendum at 10 a.m., which wants to drastically restrict private car traffic within the S-Bahn ring. This initiative, supported by numerous citizens: inside, even plans an almost complete ban on cars in one of the most busiest areas in the capital. With a clear goal in mind, one wants to make the Hoofdad more environmentally friendly and quality of life more promoted.

The Berlin Senate sees this project, however, a too far -reaching intervention in its skills. As early as 2022, they asked for a legal examination of the referendum. A ban on private car should only apply under certain conditions and with clear exceptions. Among other things, streets for commercial traffic, emergency services and residents remain accessible who want to drive a car on a total of twelve days a year. According to the plans of the initiative, almost all streets in the inner city area, with the exception of the federal roads, would be affected by the new regulations to massively reduce individual car traffic.

political reactions and stakeholders

The Senate and the Senator for Transport Ute Bonde have not yet commented on the initiative, while CDU politician Johannes Kraft feels the requirements as "far too largely" and does not consider it not controllable. On the other hand, the Green politician Antje Kapek is pushing for a quick decision after the initiative is waiting for an answer for almost four years. The main criticism is also mentioned as the bureaucratic regulation for residents, which is considered in need of improvement by mobility researcher Andreas Knie.

The initiative itself is optimistic and is planning a big celebration for the pronouncement of the judgment. This takes place at 7 p.m. in the Otto at the Statistics House at Otto-Braun-Straße 72. For the event, information about the dishes, networking options and a DJ set has been announced. All interested parties are invited to bring friends and acquaintances with them. Cool drinks and snacks round off the evening.

The way to the referendum

A successful referendum could open the legal framework for this project. To achieve this, the initiative needs at least 170,000 signatures within four months. In the summer of 2021, over 50,000 signatures were already collected to initiate the referendum, whereby only 20,000 valid votes were necessary. However, the next step for the collection of signatures will depend on the decision of the Constitutional Court. If the judgment is positive, nothing stands in the way of the mobilization phase of the referendum.

Criticism of the initiative comes from different directions. Some doubt the feasibility and controllability of the regulations for residents. However, the movement is determined and eagerly expects the outcome of the negotiation, which could decide on the future of Berlin's traffic system. rbb24 and n-tv report about the event, while the initiative on your website under Volksstscheid berlin car-free . An exciting chapter for the capital is imminent!