Chapter 1 of 7

What is being elected on 20 September 2026?

Two elections on one Sunday: Berlin’s state parliament and the twelve district assemblies.

Every five years, on a Sunday

Every five years Berliners elect a new House of Representatives (Abgeordnetenhaus) and, at the same time, twelve new district assemblies (Bezirksverordnetenversammlungen, BVV). Both ballots are cast on the same day, and that day is always a Sunday.

One city, 12 Bezirke

1Mitte
2Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
3Pankow
4Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
5Spandau
6Steglitz-Zehlendorf
7Tempelhof-Schöneberg
8Neukölln
9Treptow-Köpenick
10Marzahn-Hellersdorf
11Lichtenberg
12Reinickendorf

Source: Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg, Wahlkreise 2026 (CC BY) ↗

The district assemblies

Berlin is divided into twelve Bezirke, and each has its own assembly, the BVV. Together with the district office (Bezirksamt) the BVV runs the district’s self-government. A great deal of what shapes everyday life in a neighbourhood is debated and decided here.

The Berlin House of Representatives

Berlin is a city-state: a city and, at the same time, one of Germany’s sixteen federal states. The House of Representatives is its parliament, the law-making body elected by the people of Berlin. Its members decide the matters that concern Berlin as a state and as a whole city.

Democracy at district level

Democracy at district level: the BVV

decides on

playgrounds · public order office · pedestrian crossings · nurseries · development plans · citizens’ offices · parks · youth clubs · cycle lanes · public health office · school buildings · district museums · youth welfare · local libraries · district budget · street names · tenant advice · adult education centres · football cages · music schools · parking management · municipal galleries · sports grounds · remembrance culture · public squares · business support · student budgets

The District Mayor and 5 District Councillors

The BVV: 55 elected district representatives3 % electoral threshold

You have1 vote

around 2.75 million people are eligible to voteGerman citizens and citizens of all EU member states aged 16 and over who have lived in Berlin for at least three months, including around 55,000 16- and 17-year-olds and around 250,000 people from other EU countries.

Democracy across Berlin

Democracy across Berlin: the House of Representatives

decides on

schools and teachers · U-Bahn and trams · rent controls · state theatres and operas · policing · heat protection · transport networks · major bridges · economic development · BVG public transport · property transfer tax · state museums · city cleaning (BSR) · courts and prisons · social housing · Kulturforum · Tempelhofer Feld · housing for refugees · solar funding · Berlin minimum wage · climate targets · tax offices · film funding · public transport fares · hospitals · misuse-of-housing rules · public pools · civil protection

The Senate: the Governing Mayor, who appoints up to 10 Senators

The House of Representatives: at least 130 members, plus extra seats to keep the result proportional5 % electoral threshold, or one direct mandate78 directly elected constituency seatsat least 52 party-list seats

First votea candidate standing in your constituency

Second votea party list

You have2 votes

around 2.5 million people are eligible to voteGerman citizens aged 16 and over who have lived in Berlin for at least three months.