Top politicians from the Left, the Greens and the SPD met for preliminary talks in Berlin

Top politicians from the Left, the Greens and the SPD in Berlin have met for preliminary discussions about a possible government coalition. Left state chairwoman Kerstin Wolter said she was pleased about the start of the talks. "And that we now talk about how we might come together." The SPD state chairwoman Bettina König only added: "We are now entering into these discussions - completely relaxed." Neither of them gave any details about the agenda or the schedule. The Green Party state chairwoman Nina Stahr said it was a confidential preliminary discussion.

At the meeting, the three parties want to discuss sensitive issues such as dealing with anti-Semitism and organized crime, which caused debate after the left's victory in the House of Representatives election on September 20th. An agreement on these points is a prerequisite for the start of exploratory discussions.

Before such talks begin, the Greens and the SPD are calling for clear and binding stipulations on how to deal with anti-Semitism and protect Jewish life - both within the Left and in a possible coalition.

In the election to the Berlin House of Representatives on September 20th, the Left was by far the strongest force. The party is aiming for a red-green-red coalition. With her top candidate and co-parliamentary group leader Elif Eralp, she could nominate a governing mayor in Berlin for the first time. Meanwhile, several incidents on the left have sparked concern among potential coalition partners. Among other things, both the head of a partly criminal clan and a controversial pro-Palestinian activist were present at an election party for the Neukölln Left