Berlin Left Proposes Up to 18 Euros per Hour for SUV Parking

Berlin's Linke are pushing a controversial climate proposal: SUV drivers should pay up to 18 euros per hour for parking inside the city, Berliner Kurier reported on 14/15 October 2026. The plan is modelled on Paris, where voters approved tripled parking charges for heavy SUVs in 2024. The Linke argue that oversized private cars take up disproportionate space, cause more wear and emissions and should pay accordingly. CDU and FDP politicians slammed the idea as 'class warfare on the middle class'; the Greens signalled sympathy but want more differentiation by weight and electric drive. The proposal lands in the middle of the coalition sondierungen between Linke, SPD and Greens and could become one of the sticking points if the three parties resume talks later this week.