The Left is suing Federal Economics Minister Reiche in the Federal Constitutional Court because of the Instagram video
Quick Look
- The Left has submitted an urgent application to the Federal Constitutional Court against Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) because in an Instagram video after the Left's election victory in Berlin she warned of a threat to Germany as an investment location by a party that talks about expropriation and openly practices anti-Semitism.
- The Left sees this as a violation of the neutrality requirement and an attack on their equal participation in political competition.
- The video remained online despite requests to delete it.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Left clearly became the strongest force in the election to the House of Representatives in Berlin on September 20th and is now aiming to form a government. It is relying on a red-green-red coalition with the Greens and the SPD.
The Left is taking Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) to the Federal Constitutional Court. The reason for the urgent application, which the German Press Agency has received, is an Instagram video from the ministry after the Left's election victory in Berlin. In excerpts from a speech on September 23rd, Reiche warns that it is dangerous for the capital and Germany as an investment location that a party talks about expropriation and writes this into its program and “openly practices anti-Semitism that scares the Jews in this city.”
The Left had asked Reiche through a lawyer to remove the video by September 29th - but it was still online on Sunday evening. Now the party is pursuing the same goal by going to Karlsruhe. Specifically, the Left argues in the application that Reiche disregarded the neutrality requirement for state organs and violated the Left's right to equal participation in political competition. In her position as Federal Minister of Economics, Reiche made unlawful, “one-sided and party-political” statements and was “part of a systematic campaign” by the CDU against the Left, as stated in the application for an interim order. The editorial network Germany (RND) also reported on this.
Other politicians also received mail from left-wing lawyers
The Left was clearly the strongest force in Berlin in the election to the House of Representatives on September 20th. She is now aiming to form a government. The Left is also taking legal action against other politicians who have accused the party of anti-Semitism and proximity to criminal clans via social media. Some deleted their posts afterwards, others didn't.
From the perspective of the Left, an interim order from the Constitutional Court is necessary to prevent further disruption, especially in the current coalition-building phase. “There could be irreparable damage to the ongoing formation of a government in Berlin,” the application states.
Preliminary talks between the Left, the Greens and the SPD in Berlin about possible foundations for a government alliance did not produce a clear result at the weekend. The talks are scheduled to continue in the new week. The Left relies on a red-green-red coalition. If this happens, she could nominate a governing mayor for the first time with her top candidate and co-party leader Elif Eralp.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Federal Constitutional Court will decide on the urgent application in the coming days.
Very likely · Within days
Talks between the Left, the Greens and the SPD about a red-green-red coalition will continue in the new week.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will the Federal Constitutional Court grant the urgent application?
- Is the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy deleting the controversial video despite the lawsuit?
- How will the lawsuit affect the coalition negotiations in Berlin?