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Brandenburg Vote Clears Public Broadcaster Reform With CDU Support

The decision supplies the final state consent and sets the overhaul to take effect on December 1.

Overview

  • SPD and the opposition CDU delivered 45–39 majorities for both the reform and the youth‑media‑protection treaties, with BSW Finance Minister Robert Crumbach voting yes.
  • A majority of the BSW parliamentary group and the AfD voted no, three recent BSW defectors left the chamber before the roll call, and ex‑BSW member Reinhard Simon cast a no vote.
  • The reform streamlines ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio by merging or cutting niche TV channels, reducing radio services, capping sports‑rights spending, and tightening limits on online text publishing.
  • The vote exposed deep rifts in the SPD/BSW coalition, as BSW leaders criticized the package and internal pressure mounted on Crumbach to relinquish his Landtag mandate.
  • Financing remains unsettled, with future decisions on the broadcast contribution tied to KEF recommendations and possible rulings by the Federal Constitutional Court.