Politics · Germany · 19 hrs ago
Berlin coalition debate turns to Die Linke’s stance on antisemitism
A commentary about Berlin politics argues that the SPD and Greens face a choice over backing Die Linke in forming the city government.
Die Linke candidate Elif Eralp wants to become Berlin’s governing mayor, while SPD leader Steffen Krach is mentioned as a potential partner.
The debate has focused on Die Linke lawmaker Vanessa Emde, who has said she will keep her parliamentary seat despite calls for her to give it up.
The commentary says the party’s critics raise wider concerns, including claims about antisemitism and links to criminal networks.
It also cites SPD politician Franziska Giffey’s claim that mosques in Neukölln urged people to vote for Die Linke before the election; the party’s vote share there rose to 33 percent.
The decision now rests with the SPD and Greens, whose leaders will determine whether to support Eralp and Die Linke.
Bild commentator Robert Schneider argues that Berlin’s Left Party has a broader problem with antisemitism than the case of lawmaker Vanessa Emde.
Emde has said she will keep her seat, according to the article.
The article says the question of whether the SPD and Greens help the Left Party take over Berlin’s city government now depends on whether they take their stated opposition to antisemitism seriously.
It also raises allegations involving Neukölln politician Ahmed Abed, calls to vote for the Left Party in mosques, and the party’s election gains in Neukölln.
- Who
- Berlin’s Left Party, and the SPD and Greens considering whether to help it take over the city government.
- What
- Bild commentator Robert Schneider argues that the Left Party cannot rid itself of antisemitism and says the SPD and Greens must consider the issue before supporting it.
- When
- The article was published on 8 November 2026. It refers to events before 20 September and a protest about a week earlier.
- Where
- Berlin, including the Neukölln district.
- Why
- The debate concerns whether the SPD and Greens should support the Left Party in forming Berlin’s city government amid allegations raised by the commentator.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SPD politician Franziska Giffey said there were systematic calls in Neukölln mosques to vote for the Left Party.
Vanessa Emde demonstrated against a coalition of her party with the Greens and SPD.
Bild published Robert Schneider’s commentary on the Left Party and antisemitism.
- Article publication
- 8 November 2026
- Neukölln population
- Around 330,000
- Left Party vote share in Neukölln
- 33%, up 19.9 percentage points compared with 2021
- Lawmaker
- Vanessa Emde said she would keep her seat
What people are saying
Finally a party that he felt supported by.