Berlin Left Deputy Chair Vows to Keep Controversial Member Vanessa Emde in Party Fraction

Deputy chair Martha Kleedörfer used a speech at the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Palästinasolidarität gathering to announce her intention to fight for Vanessa Emde’s continued membership in the Berlin Left’s Abgeordnetenhaus faction. Emde’s statements that only people, not states, possess a right to exist have sparked intense criticism and prompted the faction’s leadership to declare there is no longer a common basis for cooperation.

Kleedörfer praised that all current members have been admitted, calling it “not a given,” and lamented what she described as biased press focus on female party members. She also expressed solidarity with other contested female politicians, labeling them “Problemfrauen.” The controversy has caused the SPD and Greens to suspend their exploratory talks with the Left and to call for a clear anti-antisemitism position, leaving Emde’s future in the faction undecided.