The Left invites the Greens and the SPD to exploratory talks

As the winner of the Berlin election, the Left has taken an important first step towards a possible government formation in the capital. In the evening, the delegates at a party conference decided by a large majority to invite the Greens and the SPD to exploratory talks. According to the resolution, it will be examined whether the political prerequisites for starting coalition negotiations exist. “We have a huge responsibility that we must now take on,” said top candidate Elif Eralp, who wants to become mayor.

The party leadership wanted to send the official invitation to the Greens and SPD that evening. The talks are scheduled to begin next week, but there are no exact dates yet. According to reports, the Left initially wants to speak separately to representatives of the other two parties. The discussions should then continue in a three-way format.

There is also skepticism among possible coalition partners

The Greens and the SPD are likely to accept the invitation - even if there is skepticism in both parties about a possible alliance with the Left. The state executive committee of the Greens decided to explore the matter. “We now have the responsibility to form a stable government for this city,” said the Greens. “We are ready to start negotiations as soon as possible,” said party leaders Nina Stahr and Philmon Ghirmai.

SPD leader Steffen Krach also expressed his willingness to hold such talks on Thursday. But there is no automatic guarantee that these will later lead to concrete coalition negotiations. The deputy SPD state chairwoman Cansel Kiziltepe and other left-wing SPD officials spoke out in favor of coalition negotiations between their party and the Left and the Greens. “The people of Berlin decided on left-wing politics on election day,” said the Social Senator of the German Press Agency.

Debate about anti-Semitism

Since election Sunday, there has been heated discussion across the country about anti-Semitism in the Left Party and contacts in the clan milieu. The debate also sparked great skepticism among potential coalition partners the Greens and SPD. Both parties called on the left to clarify that it stands against anti-Semitism and for the protection of Jewish life.

“Jewish people must feel safe in our city,” said the top candidate and new parliamentary group leader Eralp at the party conference. “I will strengthen diverse Jewish life and fight anti-Semitism,” the politician added. Palestinian, Muslim or queer people should also be able to live safely in the city. “And it must also be completely clear that calls for violence must never occur, and statements that scare Jewish people must never come from our stages. This is absolutely unacceptable.”

Left admits mistakes

State chairwoman Kerstin Wolter was self-critical. “In our party, too, mistakes were made, boundaries were crossed, sentences were spoken that frightened Jews,” she said. “And I also say very clearly that where this happens, it does not happen in our name. And we have a duty to investigate these cases.” The left is fighting against anti-Semitism and racism. “We stand up for Israel’s right to exist and the right to exist for Palestine.” However, it is necessary to differentiate between anti-Semitism and legitimate criticism of Israel.

Debate about anti-Semitism

Parts of the Berlin Left have long been criticized for their positions on the Middle East conflict and anti-Semitism. An election party organized by the Neukölln Left district association caused a great stir, at which a well-known clan figure and a controversial pro-Palestinian activist were present on Sunday evening. He is said to be close to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU.

In addition, Ferat Koçak, a member of the Bundestag from Neukölln, came under pressure because he was in chat contact with a son of an extended family associated with the clan milieu. Koçak described this as a mistake and withdrew from the public and the Bundestag's Interior Committee for the time being.

Even more sticking points

But the issue is not the only sticking point in forming a government. At the Left party conference, many speakers, including federal chairwoman Ines Schwerdtner, spoke out in favor of the expropriation of large housing companies in exchange for compensation - a central campaign demand of the Left. The plan, for which there was a majority in a referendum in Berlin in 2021, must now be implemented quickly. The Left's goal is to get 220,000 additional apartments into municipal hands and to slow the rise in rents. The Greens are for it, SPD leader Krach is against it.

In the election for the Berlin House of Representatives last Sunday, the Left was by far the strongest force with 25.7 percent. They were followed by the CDU (18.8 percent), AfD (16.3 percent), the Greens (14.3 percent) and the SPD (12.1 percent). So far, a CDU/SPD Senate has governed Berlin. After the election, only three-party alliances have a mathematical majority. In addition to the Left, the Greens and the SPD, the CDU, the Greens and the SPD could also form a coalition. At the moment, this variant is considered unlikely.