Berlin house of representatives votes in favour of Olympic bid

Berlin's house of representatives has backed a bid for future Olympic Games with a majority vote on a motion from the city's governing senate on Thursday.

The governing Christian Democrats (CDU) and Social Democrats (SPD) were in favour along with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The Left Party and Greens opposed it.

"Our bid holds real promise for future generations. We want to see positive development for Berlin,” Berlin mayor Kai Wegner said before the vote.

Germany plans to bid for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games. Berlin's domestic rivals are Munich, Hamburg and a Rhine-Ruhr bid with Cologne at the centre.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will chose the candidate and the year to bid for in September.

Munich's bid and that of Rhine-Ruhr have been endorsed in referendums and a Hamburg referendum is set for May 31.

Berlin will have no referendum for its bid which centres on existing venues and city events at attractive locations in the capital.

Supporters hope for an investment boost in the city ranging from sports and inclusion to housing and public transport.

Wegner said the city could show that "change is possible" despite many crises situations, that "Berlin is a city of diversity" and that "we live in a strong democracy."

"If we send a true summer fairy tale to the world it is an opportunity for the world," he said.

Based on external experts, the senate expects Games costs of €4.82 billion ($5.6 billion) and a profit of some €420 million owing to expected revenue of €5.24 billion.

Opposition parties highlighted cost risks and criticised empty promises and pipe dreams regarding the expected positive benefits. Tobias Schulze from the Left Party said that the last three Games had cost more than twice as much as planned.

Berlin hosted the Olympics in 1936 and Munich in 1972.