The number of refugees in Berlin has increased sharply. These are mainly immigrants from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey. In January, their number increased by 111% compared to January 2022. In addition, almost a million people arrived in Germany from Ukraine who do not need to apply for asylum, since, thanks to the visa-free entry agreement concluded several years ago, Ukrainians can stay in the country for up to 90 days, and in addition they are now provided with benefits, German language courses, etc. But there is a catastrophic lack of affordable housing. Refugees are housed in school gymnasiums or, for example, on cots in the Potsdam Biosphere, an urban tropical world housed in a huge hall.
Climate activists are increasing their pressure on the authorities. The group Extinction Rebellion organizes demonstrations in the city center in an attempt to draw attention to the problem of species extinction. The group "Last Generation" is blocking streets in many places in the center of Berlin. Young people stick their hands on roads, including motorway exits. On April 13, climate activists threw black paint on many public buildings in the city center. On April 14, they invaded the famous Adlon Hotel at the Brandenburg Gate, threw firecrackers from the balconies onto Pod Lipami boulevard and unfurled banners with slogans demanding fewer cars, more space for bicycles and pedestrians, more trees and other measures to protect the quality of life in the city . And all this, as correspondent Karin Rupelt reports, is happening against the background of repeated elections of the government and the new mayor of Berlin.