The election to the city council of Greater Berlin from December 5, 1948 took place in exceptional circumstances.
The last election had occurred just two years earlier; however, since then the city had been separated into East and West.
Moreover, West Berlin was experiencing a blockade since June 1948 from the outside world and was only surviving due to the airlift.
The Socialist Unity Party did not compete in these elections to the West Berlin City Council which they regarded as illegitimate.
Although the SPD had a clear absolute majority, due to the complex political situation it formed a unity coalition with the CDU and the FDP.