Elif Eralp poised to become Berlin's first left-wing mayor after election win
The Left party secured 25.7% of the vote in Berlin's parliamentary election, positioning its lead candidate Elif Eralp as a potential first-ever left-wing governing mayor.
The Berlin parliamentary election on 20 September delivered a 25.7% vote share to Die Linke, the highest result for the party in the capital’s history. This outcome puts Elif Eralp, the party’s Spitzenkandidatin, in a strong position to become Berlin’s first governing mayor from the SED-successor. Eralp, born in Munich to Turkish parents who fled the 1980 military coup, has built her platform on making rent affordable, ending deportations, and representing the city’s diverse population.
Her personal background and bilingual outreach have attracted strong support among Muslim and other migrant communities, who comprise about 42% of Berlin’s residents. While she has not been directly involved in recent antisemitism scandals within the party, critics note that Die Linke continues to grapple with extremist elements on its ranks. Eralp’s appeal lies in a blend of grassroots authenticity, such as campaigning on a bicycle, and a promise to act as “Berlin’s lawyer” for the disadvantaged.
Why it matters
The election could bring Berlin its first left-wing mayor, reshaping housing and integration policies for millions.
How this story developed
- Sep 21 Elif Eralp emerges as Die Linke's high-profile mayoral candidate in Berlin
- Sep 21 The Greens announced they will seek a red‑green‑red coalition with the Left and SPD.
- Sep 21 Bundestag member Ferat Koçak said he communicated with Firas Remmo like any other Neukölln resident and was unaware of Remmo’s alleged criminal ties at the time.
- Sep 23 SPD and Greens require Die Linke to demonstrate anti‑antisemitism safeguards before coalition talks can proceed.
- Sep 24 Koçak announced a temporary pause from his interior‑committee duties.
- Sep 24 The Israeli ambassador warned of an “immediate existential threat” to Berlin’s Jewish community over alleged antisemitism in the party.
- Sep 27 SPD and Greens issued a joint warning demanding Die Linke reject antisemitism and clan crime before coalition talks proceed.
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