The session of the Lichtenberg district assembly on Thursday evening has been canceled. The background was a verbal argument between SPD city councilor Kevin Hönicke and BVV director Kerstin Zimmer (left). Members of several factions of BVV Lichtenberg have confirmed this to the Tagesspiegel.
The city council had made a statement outside of the agenda: Howoge had submitted a building application for a construction project in Ilsekiez. The project is the subject of controversy in the district.
During the speech, district mayor Michael Grunst (left) indicated a time-out for the BVV head to coordinate with the district office “so that the issue does not escalate”. Hönicke had to briefly interrupt his speech for this, but was then able to finish it. Then he is said to have yelled at BVV director Kerstin Zimmer, which is why she allowed the interruption.
According to witnesses from the Left and Green factions, Hönicke physically set himself up in front of Zimmer and yelled at her loudly in a condescending tone. The BVV head then left the meeting room crying. She no longer felt able to continue the BVV and went home.
This is confirmed by members of their own group. Hönicke did not insult – the reason for the scandal was his body language, volume and tone of voice.
A majority of BVV members from the Greens, Left and the CDU then decided to end the meeting. A constructive continuation of the meeting was “no longer possible”.
Hönicke admits to the Tagesspiegel that he has become loud. He wanted to ask the headmistress on what basis she interrupted his speech. However, his aim was not to “attack people”. He does not rate the incident as physical or psychological violence – other city councilors would not have perceived it that way either, “but as a political discourse, as we often do.”
In the past, Zimmer had also become insulting towards him and had also yelled at him several times: “Whoever hands it out must also be able to take it.” The city council is happy to have a confidential conversation with the BVV head. Late in the evening tweeted Hönicke: “The headmistress has long since received an offer to talk.”
The Green and Left factions are now also demanding a clarifying discussion and a public apology from the city council. In addition, an application was made to change the BVV rules of procedure, which would enable women to interrupt the BVV and to discuss with all democratic BVV members.
The behavior of the city council has built up over the past few months – the incident, according to the parliamentary groups, is problematic not least from a gender perspective. Mayor Michael Grunst says he was “shocked”. Before commenting on the incident, however, he wanted to speak personally with those involved.
Kerstin Zimmer has not yet given a statement to the Tagesspiegel.
The CDU Lichtenberg said on Thursday evening about the substantive discussion about the Ilsekiez: “With the announcement that the Howoge has now submitted an application for the development of the Ilsekiez, a new phase in the dispute has been reached.”
Senator Andreas Geisel (SPD) did not stop the construction of the inner courtyards in Karlshorst despite the decision of the BVV with an overwhelming majority, although he could have done so. “The SPD apparently wants to create a fait accompli,” said Benjamin Hudler, spokesman for urban development for the parliamentary group.
To home page
