Protest in Kiel: Citizens resist buying back the MFG-5 site!

Protest in Kiel: Citizens resist buying back the MFG-5 site!

Yesterday, October 17, 2025, around 150 protesting citizens demonstrated loudly on Asmus-Bremer-Platz in Kiel against the Bundeswehr's buyback plans for the MFG-5 site. The campaign was organized by the Alliance for Affordable Housing, with the central demand being: “No decisions over the heads of the people of Kiel”. KN online reports that co-organizer Andreas Meyer emphasized that a sale of the site could jeopardize the largest urban development project in Schleswig-Holstein.

The planned conversion of the MFG-5 site will create an attractive 2,250 new apartments in Kiel, as well as commercial space, daycare centers and sports and leisure facilities. In this context, Helena Sachs from the skate group “Laceskate” spoke and explained how important the area is for the community. In addition, 2,064 signatures for a petition against the buyback have already been collected as part of the protest. This petition is scheduled to be presented to the council on November 20th.

Hope for a compromise

The discussion about the MFG-5 site is highly complex and affects both urban development and the interests of the Bundeswehr. There is already speculation in the background that the Bundeswehr is considering buying back the area to expand its naval base in Kiel. Mayor Ulf Kampf (SPD) was optimistic about a possible compromise between the city and the federal government. “The MFG-5 site is attractive for both sides,” said Kampfer, emphasizing that talks with the Bundeswehr are scheduled to begin in September. NDR

A crucial aspect of the ongoing negotiations could be the possibility of expropriation by the federal government, which could be carried out in favor of an overarching public interest in national defense. This presents the city of Kiel with a significant challenge, while at the same time hoping to receive financial support from the Bundeswehr for new bridge projects in Kiel. In particular, it was mentioned that there are many other properties that could be of interest to Cologne. daily news

Protests and trusting communication

Parallel to the protests against the buyback of the MFG-5 site, another protest took place in the city center. Around 100 people, mostly parents, protested here against the stay of a convicted sex offender in Kiel. The motto of this parallel event was: “No forgiveness, no forgetting, no place for sexual offenders.” This shows how diverse the topics are that currently concern the Kiel population.

The coming period will be crucial for the development of the MFG-5 site. It remains to be seen whether there will be a consensus between those involved. In the meantime, the population remains active and their voices are heard loud and clear.