Vanessa Emde joins Berlin Left caucus despite controversial state-right remarks

Following the renewal of coalition negotiations among the SPD, Greens and The Left in Berlin, Vanessa Emde posted an Instagram video restating her view that states lack an inherent right to exist, a position she described as a basic principle of international law. Opponents claim she does not recognize Israel's right to exist, prompting speculation about her future within the caucus. Nevertheless, the Berlin Left parliamentary group admitted her and collectively endorsed a statement affirming Israel's right to exist and denouncing antisemitism.

Emde criticized the statement as cherry-picking, pointing out that the party had previously voted to label Israel's conduct in the Gaza conflict as genocide. She framed her admission as a modest gain against what she called "state raison" - a term once used by former Chancellor Angela Merkel. The parties plan to continue coalition talks later in the day.