Friday, November 21
According to a new BerlinTrend survey, 75% of Berliners support a firework ban on New Year’s Eve. Only 21% of the 1,185 eligible voters in the November poll opposed the restrictions.
As an alternative to private displays, 74% supported centralised and professional firework celebrations. The findings come as Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner announced plans for a public New Year’s Eve party at Brandenburger Tor.
While a nationwide ban remains unlikely, which would require federal government action, 87% of respondents want more firework-free zones established in the capital. Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) recently indicated that the area around Admiralbrücke in Kreuzberg could become an additional ban zone, following restrictions at Alexanderplatz and in parts of Schöneberg and Neukölln last year.
The debate over private fireworks has persisted for years, with supporters of a ban citing environmental damage, harm to wild and domestic animals and high injury risks. Previous nationwide surveys have shown similar majorities favouring restrictions.
