Wednesday, November 5
Berlin and Brandenburg held a joint cabinet meeting on Tuesday to deepen collaboration across key policy areas, with particular focus on security, migration, and economic development. Brandenburg’s Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) and Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) signed a cooperation agreement for a digital emergency radio. The agreement aims to improve mutual support during emergency operations and training excercises.
Woidke and Wegner discussed the establishment of shared deportation detention facilities. Brandenburg plans to use Berlin’s deportation detention centre in Lichtenrade through an agreement, which is expected to be finalised by the end of this year or or early 2026. Berlin’s interior senator Iris Spranger indicated the facility would house dangerous individuals and criminals.
Woidke suggested Berlin could share Brandenburg’s planned administrative centre in Schönefeld, designed for asylum seekers required to leave Germany. A departure facility in Wünsdorf near BER Airport could also be jointly used. Wegner welcomed these proposals and acknowledged Berlin has to share the financial responsibility for these plans.
Brandenburg pledged to support for Berlin’s Olympic 2036 or 2040 bid. Both governments also committed to creating more affordable housing in the capital region through construction subsidies and increasing international long-haul flight connections from BER Airport.
