Formation of government in Berlin: Minister of State for Culture warns SPD against red-green-red in Berlin

Berlin. Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer (independent) calls on SPD leaders Lars Klingbeil and Bärbel Bas to prevent a red-green-red alliance at the state level in Berlin. “If the SPD party leaders do not immediately and clearly stop a left-wing alliance in Berlin, then that would be a vote of no confidence in our coalition,” he told “Bild”. “An alliance between the SPD and this left in Berlin would have a direct impact on black-red cooperation at the federal level.”

The Left had won the Berlin election and is now exploring a possible government alliance with the Greens and SPD. There is a lot of criticism of the talks, particularly from the Union, the SPD's coalition partner in the federal government. Among other things, it involves allegations against parts of the Berlin Left regarding their handling of anti-Semitism, positions on Israel and Palestine and contacts with the so-called clan milieu.

Mathematically, an alliance of the CDU, Greens and SPD would also be possible in Berlin. The CDU slipped to second place in the election, well behind the Left.

“If the SPD were to help this left-wing party come to power as a stirrup, then that would also be a burden for the federal coalition,” Weimer told “Bild”. He added: "A government in the capital under the leadership of the SED's successor would be a breaking point for the integrity of the Federal Republic." The centrist parties could and should form a centrist coalition in the capital, he demanded.

The Greens and the SPD had made an agreement on action against anti-Semitism a condition for the start of exploratory talks. On Thursday, the three parties presented a corresponding agreement, which was negotiated in several “preliminary discussions”. They are committed to protecting Jewish life, Israel's right to exist and a two-state solution that should enable both Israel's security and the self-determination of the Palestinians.