The Left Party in Berlin has decided to hold all future deliberations on the city's coalition talks aboard the Ringbahn, and its state congress has been moved accordingly. Delegates voted in favour of opening negotiations with the Greens and the SPD while travelling in a continuous loop around the city, with no stops permitted between Westkreuz and Westkreuz.
The party's executive described the arrangement as a matter of fairness. "Every member should be able to see the whole city before deciding what to do with it," a party spokesperson said, adding that the rental of the tram depot in Lichtenberg was approved without debate after the first hour.
Party officials say the congress proved so popular that three district branches have already requested their own rolling assemblies, and the transport authority has ordered additional carriages for the autumn. Staff at the depot now work in shifts that begin at dawn, and a canteen has been built inside a retired carriage to feed the 1,800 delegates who have been unable to disembark since Saturday.
Negotiators from the Greens and SPD are expected to board the line next week. Officials said the coalition agreement will be drafted in motion, with the final vote scheduled for the moment the train returns to its starting platform.