My name is Martha, and the Soldiner neighbourhood is my home. In September, I’m standing as a candidate for Die Linke in the House of Representatives election. If elected, I’ll cap my salary and use the money to support people in the neighbourhood. Together with you, I’m fighting for an affordable life and against policies that favour the rich and big business.

Property developers are buying influence in politics, the conservative party (CDU) and the social democrats (SPD) are wielding the chainsaw against our social Berlin and neglecting our working-class neighbourhoods. The rich and investors do as they please, yet they are still spared.

To make Berlin affordable and a better place to live, we need the socialisation of the big housing corporations, investment in our schools, sports centres and youth facilities, and the removal of rubbish especially in areas where the wealth does not live.

Let’s create spaces for change. With the neighbourhood. For the neighbourhood.