Fusion of Berlin and Brandenburg

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Berlin and Brandenburg are two German states that people often talk about joining into one. Berlin is entirely surrounded by Brandenburg. Many people from Brandenburg commute to Berlin, and the two share language, history and culture. They already work closely: they have one public broadcaster (rbb), cooperate on courts, transport networks and big projects like Berlin Brandenburg Airport and the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. By 2012 they had signed many agreements to cooperate even more, and in 2022 they said they aren’t planning to merge.

Politically, both have been led by the Social Democratic Party since the early 2000s, but the two states are different. Berlin is more urban and liberal; Brandenburg is more rural and conservative. In Brandenburg, the SPD has historically supported lignite mining, which Berlin opposes.

The legal route to a fusion was unusual. A 1994 change to Germany’s Basic Law allows Berlin and Brandenburg to merge without a federal law, but only if a referendum is held and both state legislatures ratify the decision.

A referendum was held on 5 May 1996. Berlin voters supported fusion; Brandenburg voters mostly opposed. The turnout and rules meant the fusion did not happen. Reasons for opposition included Brandenburg residents’ fear of losing their identity and federal support, and Berlin residents’ worries about debt and losing influence in the federal system.

Because the referendum failed, the two states continued to cooperate closely instead. As of March 2022, the leaders said there are no plans to merge.