citizens’ initiative
Referendum in Greifswald: No space for refugee containers
In the town hall of Greifswald there is now clarity about the further handling of refugee accommodation
© Stefan Sauer / DPA
The people of Greifswald have voted on whether the city can lease areas for container accommodation for refugees to the neighboring district. The referendum was clear.
The city of Greifswald is not allowed to lease urban areas to the district for the construction of container accommodation for refugees. This is the result of a referendum on Sunday. After almost all the votes were counted on Sunday evening, a city spokeswoman said the result was already certain.
64 percent voted against
The majority therefore voted against the possibility of leasing, and the necessary minimum participation in the referendum was achieved by at least 25 percent of those entitled to vote. Shortly before all votes were counted, more than 64 percent answered no. The city is bound by the decision for two years.
The city had previously pointed out that the decision has no influence on whether and how many refugees are assigned to the city by the district. At the beginning of the year there was strong protest against a large container accommodation in the Hanseatic city. Corresponding plans are now off the table. The protest resulted in a citizens’ initiative, which brought about the decision by collecting thousands of signatures.