Left Party faces calls to denounce antisemitism after Berlin election win
The post-communist Left party, now the largest force in Berlin's parliament, must address accusations of antisemitism as coalition talks begin.
The Left party secured a decisive victory in Berlin's recent parliamentary election, prompting the Greens and SPD to demand a clear repudiation of antisemitism before any coalition is formed. Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor warned that the Jewish community in the capital faces an "immediate existential threat," citing what he described as unchecked antisemitism within the party. Party figurehead Elif Eralpova, who may become Berlin's mayor, admitted that antisemitism has been a problem in parts of the party but framed it as a broader societal issue.
A celebration in the Neukölln district drew criticism after a known criminal clan member and a pro-Palestinian activist with alleged ties to a designated terrorist group attended. The Left's national chair Ines Schwerdtnerová urged a distinction between antisemitism and legitimate criticism of Israel's government, while coalition partners set a condition for an explicit anti-antisemitism statement from all party members.
Why it matters
The party's stance on antisemitism will shape Berlin's coalition and affect the safety of its Jewish community.
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Merz warns AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt could scare off foreign investors
- Sep 20 Recent polls show the SPD narrowing the gap with the AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while the CDU lingers just above the entry threshold and smaller parties risk missing seats. In Berlin, the SPD has slipped behind but remains a contender, and no party appears set for an outright majority, making a three-party coalition likely. Possible alliances include red-green-red or black-green-red blocs, with a potential surprise from the Greens, and incumbent mayor Kai Wegner is not running again.
- Sep 20 Polls now show Die Linke slightly ahead of the CDU in Berlin and the AfD closing on the SPD in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern.
- Sep 20 Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted his CDU suffered a crushing defeat in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the AfD reached 37% while the CDU fell to 5.5%.
- Sep 20 AfD emerged as the largest party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s state election, but Manuela Schwesig of the SPD will receive the mandate to form a government.
- Sep 20 AfD emerged as the front‑runner in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern and Die Linke topped the Berlin vote.
- Sep 21 The CDU failed to clear the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, losing all its seats in the state parliament.
- Sep 21 Elif Eralp, the daughter of Turkish left-wing refugees, was named Die Linke's lead candidate for the Berlin mayoral race, drawing parallels to New York mayor Bill de Blasio’s predecessor.
- Sep 21 Speaking on Tagesschau Extra, Krings said a division of the two top positions has not been ruled out and should be openly discussed. He recalled past CDU experiences where combining the roles proved problematic and stressed that the country's interests must come before personal ambitions. Krings added that the party must focus on overdue reforms rather than debating leadership changes, especially after recent electoral defeats in several states.
- Sep 21 Hamburg party chairman Dennis Thering called for Chancellor Merz to seek a confidence vote in the Bundestag.
- Sep 21 CDU failed to win any seats in the Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern parliament.
- Sep 21 The Greens announced they will seek a red‑green‑red coalition with the Left and SPD.
- Sep 21 AfD received about 44% of the vote in Saxony‑Anhalt, falling short of a majority by three seats.
- Sep 22 The CDU top council met on Monday to voice concerns about the party’s leadership.
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