Spiegel Deutschland2 hours agoPolitics1 min readGermany

Berlin: SPD votes for coalition talks with the Left and the Greens

Quick Look

The Berlin SPD decides to start coalition negotiations with the election winner, the Left Party, and the Greens after the previous CDU/SPD coalition lost its majority.
The Left will decide on a party conference on October 31st, although if approved, talks could begin in early November.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

In the Berlin election on September 20, the Left achieved the best result with 25.7 percent, followed by the CDU (18.8 percent), AfD (16.3 percent), the Greens (14.3 percent) and the SPD with their historically worst result of 12.1 percent. As a result, the previously ruling CDU/SPD coalition lost its majority.

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The Berlin SPD wants to start coalition negotiations with the election winner Left and the Greens. The state executive board decided this with a large majority at a digital meeting, as the dpa news agency and the Berlin “Tagesspiegel” unanimously reported. The Greens want to decide on the start of coalition talks at a small party conference in the evening.

The Left will only decide on this at a party conference on October 31st. The reason is the two-week autumn holidays in Berlin. If approved, coalition talks could begin at the beginning of November.

In the Berlin election on September 20th, the Left was the strongest force with 25.7 percent.

Behind them are the CDU (18.8 percent),

AfD (16.3 percent),

Greens (14.3 percent)

and with its historically worst result – the SPD (12.1 percent).

The previously ruling CDU/SPD coalition has lost its majority. Now attempts are being made to form a red-green-red government. If this succeeds, Left Party leader Elif Eralp could become the first governing mayor of her party in Berlin.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

At its party conference on October 31st, the Left will agree to start coalition negotiations with the SPD and the Greens.
Likely · Within days
If the Left approves, coalition negotiations between the SPD, the Left and the Greens will begin at the beginning of November.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

What specific policy agreements could be reached between the SPD, the Left and the Greens?
How will the AfD, as the strongest opposition faction, react to a possible red-green-red government?
What personal consequences could the formation of a coalition have for the Berlin SPD leadership?