Charlotte Knobloch worried about left-wing leading candidate Eralp in Berlin

Before the first talks about forming a government in Berlin, the former president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Charlotte Knobloch, is concerned about left-wing leading candidate Elif Eralp as a possible head of government. When asked whether she shared the view of Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) that Jews could no longer feel safe in Berlin under Eralp as mayor, Knobloch said on the ARD program “Maischberger”: “That is certainly not made up, that is certainly a fact.”

The 93-year-old continued: "Politicians have to be very careful here that this really doesn't happen, because that would be a huge catastrophe, not only for the Jews in Berlin, but for all Berliners if such people carry out politics in Berlin." Knobloch did not elaborate on her criticism.

The question referred to criticism that Prien expressed to Eralp in a “Maischberger” broadcast last week. “Jews will no longer be able to feel safe in Berlin if this mayor is elected,” said the CDU politician.

Concern about AfD: “People are afraid”

Previously, Knobloch again expressed her concern about the AfD on the show on Wednesday evening. She believes in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's (CDU) promise not to cooperate with the AfD. However, it can be seen “that the AfD is becoming stronger and stronger,” said Knobloch. «I would say almost every day. And unfortunately the coming elections will more or less tell us that we were right with this description," said the chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria.

“So the AfD belongs away. That is the basis we have to look for,” said Knobloch. «Otherwise I don't know how our future will develop. I'm scared. And people are afraid."

The Left wants to appoint a governing mayor for the first time

In the election for the Berlin House of Representatives on September 20th, the Left was the strongest force with 25.7 percent. With Eralp, the party could have a governing mayor in the capital for the first time. Parts of the Berlin Left have long been criticized for their positions on Israel and Palestine and anti-Semitism. In view of the post-election debate, top Berlin officials repeatedly assured that the party stood for the protection of Jewish life.