Berlin: Left decides on coalition negotiations

In her speech, top candidate Elif Eralp spoke of the “destructive dimension” of the “accusations” from outside against her and her party. These would have lost all measure. "And why? Because we plan to put people at the center of our politics and not profit. Because we plan to raise the ownership question,” she said. In Berlin, the Left wants to socialize 160,000 apartments belonging to large corporations. Eralp was celebrated several times with standing applause and shouts of “Elif, Elif”.

The document from which SPIEGEL reported is the version authorized by Eralp of an interview that an editor conducted with her at the beginning of the week. The version also contained comments and notes that Eralp and her people had left behind.

Eralp had a SPIEGEL question and her own answer about the terrorist sympathizer Ibrahim deleted - and with a longer text that was obviously intended for internal use, she explained why she did not want to mention him by name: "I cannot put myself and my family in danger for Spiegel," Eralp wrote in the document. "What do we do now? Can we cancel the whole interview?" Eralp wants to become mayor in a coalition with the Greens and SPD.

Dozens of radical pro-Palestine activists gathered in front of the party conference grounds in Lichtenberg. “Reason of State: Genocide” was written on one banner, “Elif ‘Reason of State’ Eralp” was written on a sign.

Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags, some with kuffiyas wrapped around their necks. Ramsis Kilani came; the activist had been expelled from the party after making terrorism-glorifying and anti-Semitic statements.

A speaker said that Ibrahim Ibrahim had voluntarily beaten the electoral drum for the left, but now he was being exposed to racist incitement. She hopes "you are ashamed of Elif Eralp." Then shouts of “Shame on you” rang out.

SPIEGEL reporter harassed

Berlin MP Vanessa Emde, controversial because of her problematic stance on Israel, also spoke. When SPIEGEL reporters tried to speak to Emde, they were harassed and filmed by those present.

In her speech, Emde said: "The criminalization and demonization of Palestine solidarity is a red line" and emphasized: "no coalition without socialization, no coalition without Palestine solidarity." After Emde's speech, the demonstrators chanted "Yalla Yalla Intifada."