Overview
- The Berlin Constitutional Court ruled by an 8–1 majority that the ‘Berlin autofrei’ initiative is constitutionally admissible, clearing the way for its next phase.
- After a four-year transition period almost all streets within the S-Bahn ring would become ‘autoreduced,’ limiting private trips to 12 per person each year.
- Exemptions would apply to public transport vehicles, police and emergency responders, waste collection, delivery traffic, taxis and residents with mobility impairments.
- The Berlin Senate had referred the proposal to the court in 2022 over constitutional concerns, but judges found no infringement of basic rights and upheld its proportionality.
- Supporters now have four months to gather signatures from at least seven percent of eligible Berlin voters—approximately 170,000—to trigger a referendum.