Linke Hemelingen invites you to a barbecue: neighbors and new members are welcome!

Linke Hemelingen invites you to a barbecue: neighbors and new members are welcome!

In Bremen-Hemelingen they are grilling again: The Left organized a convivial barbecue today in the former Könecke sausage factory. The aim of this happy gathering was to both increase local presence and promote direct contact with residents and new members of the party. Around a dozen members of the Left were on site and prepared piping hot grilled food and a colorful buffet, while drinks were available for thirsty throats. “We want to be close to people and hear their concerns,” says Max Petermann, the project manager, who plans to stay in Hemelingen for six months.

The response to the festival was generally positive, but the Left itself has a mixed assessment of the event. Many residents appreciate the commitment, but the issues raised for discussion such as noise protection, parking facilities and the lack of lounges for young people show that there is still a lot to do. Max Petermann and the party have clearly set themselves the goal of being perceived as a “career party”.

Social challenges in the district

In Hemelingen, the challenges do not stand still - the unemployment rate here is a whopping 15.2%, significantly higher than in the neighboring, wealthy Arbergen at just 5.9%. In order to mitigate these effects, the Left has initiated a free social consultation hour that takes place every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is led by Ayke Chmielewski. The aim of these consultation hours is to offer support with problems with landlords, job centers or employers.

“Solidarity in Gröpelingen” is the name of another initiative that is based on the principle of helping people help themselves. The aim here is also to support people who need help with the rent crisis and with work issues. Chmielewski sees the shift to the right in society as alarming and would like to actively work against it with the left. “We have to show that we are there for the people,” says new member Rene Breuning, 24 years old, who says she ended up in the Left Party to find a piece of home.

Rent crisis in Germany

The social challenges are not only reflected in Bremen. Germany is currently experiencing an oppressive rent crisis that is affecting many segments of the population. Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung draws attention to urgent problems: rent increases shape people's everyday lives and make living more difficult. A nationwide rent cap could provide relief at this point by stopping, increasing and fixing rents.

For example, the success of a rent cap in Berlin showed that rents there were reduced by up to 11%. Nevertheless, this step was overturned by the Federal Constitutional Court. [Haufe]. While rent controls are effective in many municipalities, landlords often have the option of converting their apartments into holiday apartments instead of putting them on the regular market.

In Hemelingen, the increase in civil society work in the district is seen as a step in the right direction. The Left wants to continue to be active and is planning further festivals and door-to-door campaigns in order to remain on everyone's lips. “Every voice counts, and we grow with every resident we reach,” says Breuning optimistically.