Cologne: Greens vote with AfD against homeless shelter

Green politicians in Cologne are causing a scandal: In the vote on expensive homeless shelters, two out of four people vote for the AfD.

The Cologne district council of Porz has apparently rejected the planned lease of 33 apartments for homeless housing. The project was expected to cost €2.61 million over ten years – a good €20 per square meter in a district with typical rents of €11 to €13.

What's interesting is that, as the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" (Monday edition) reports, two of the four Green Party representatives, along with the CDU and AfD, voted against the project, while the other two, along with the SPD and BSW, voted for it. In the event of a tie, the AfD vote was decisive for the rejection. The SPD reportedly expressed shock at the tearing down of the firewall to the right-wing extremist party. The voting results are available to the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger."

Reportedly, this was a glitch within the Green Party's parliamentary group. Dieter Redlin, chairman of the Green Party in Porz, justified his rejection to the "KStA" with considerations of fairness – he didn't want to favor any group financially and considered the rent demand excessive. According to the "KStA," the Green Youth reacted sharply and disapproved of any cooperation with the AfD.

The city justifies the high costs with increased construction costs and interest rates due to the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The property on Frankfurter Straße is intended to provide urgently needed housing, as demand is steadily increasing.

The project is not off the table, however. The final decision will be made by the city council on Tuesday. There, the signs point to approval – including from the Green council group, which apparently does not share the concerns of its Porz colleagues.