Elif Eralp: CDU calls for an end to red-green-red talks

SPIEGEL's revelations about Berlin's left-wing leader Elif Eralp have intensified the debate about the controversial formation of a government in Berlin. The acting head of the Berlin CDU, Stefan Evers, has called on the Greens and the SPD to end negotiations on an alliance. They had to “finally pull the emergency brake,” Evers told SPIEGEL. Evers was the top candidate for the Berlin CDU in the House of Representatives election on September 20th.

He takes Eralp's security concerns "very seriously." But he asked himself: "How is Elif Eralp, as governing mayor, supposed to guarantee the safety of millions of people if she herself is afraid of the Islamist environment in her party?" said Evers.

“Berlin must not end up in a situation in which the fear of Islamists influences political decisions,” said the Christian Democrat, emphasizing his willingness to form a government. The “hand of the CDU” remains extended to the Greens and SPD.

Berlin SPD leader Steffen Krach continues to insist on entering a government with the Left. "I'm particularly concerned about the content, and I'm concerned about a strong domestic policy, a strong economic policy, and also a socially fair housing policy," Krach told broadcaster RTL/ntv on Thursday on the sidelines of the inaugural meeting of the Berlin House of Representatives. However, trust between the three factions is also important. "And it will become clear in the next few weeks whether this trust is sufficient and whether a stable government will then emerge."

The SPD and the Greens have already agreed to enter into coalition talks with the Left, and the Eralps Left Party will decide on this at a party conference on Saturday in Berlin.

Background of the research

In an internal document available to SPIEGEL, Eralp wrote that she and her husband were "afraid of these people." The left-wing politician is referring to the Hamas sympathizer Ibrahim Ibrahim, who appeared at the Left's election party in Berlin-Neukölln in September.

The document is a version authorized by Eralp of an interview that SPIEGEL conducted with her on Monday. The written version that Eralp's spokesman sent back to SPIEGEL accidentally included comments. The comments indicate that Eralp did not want to refer to Ibrahim by name out of concern for her own and her husband's well-being.

The Berlin SPD Interior Senator Iris Spranger was concerned. "I take Elif Eralp's statement that she feels threatened seriously," Spranger told SPIEGEL. She can be contacted by parliamentarians in possible dangerous situations. “Fear should not guide political decisions,” emphasized Spranger.

She pointed out that all top candidates had received the offer to hold security talks with the State Criminal Police Office during the election campaign. She did not say whether the left accepted this offer.