Politics · Germany · 7 hrs ago
Berlin SPD plans member vote on possible coalition with the Left
Berlin's SPD leadership plans a vote by party members on whether to back a coalition with the Greens and the Left.
The proposed alliance would govern the German capital, and about 17,500 Berlin SPD members could take part.
The coalition plan has faced criticism over allegations of antisemitism within the Left and reported links between some of its politicians and organized crime.
The SPD's executive board and state leadership are due to decide this week whether to hold the vote.
The vote could affect whether the coalition goes ahead; other possible outcomes include an SPD-backed minority government or new elections.
The three parties aim to finish a coalition agreement by December 12, with their members due to vote on it by January 4.
The Left's party conference is also due to decide on Saturday whether to enter coalition talks.
Berlin’s SPD state executive plans to ask party members to vote on a possible coalition with the Greens and the Left.
The proposed vote would involve about 17,500 SPD members in Berlin.
The party’s executive committee is due to consider the plan on Tuesday, followed by the state executive on Wednesday.
The coalition agreement is scheduled to be completed by December 12, with members of all three parties due to vote by January 4.
The proposed coalition has drawn criticism within the SPD over allegations of antisemitism involving members of the Left.
- Who
- The Berlin SPD and its approximately 17,500 members.
- What
- The SPD plans a member vote on a possible coalition agreement with the Greens and the Left.
- When
- The executive committee is due to consider the plan on Tuesday and the state executive on Wednesday. The coalition agreement is due by December 12, with the parties’ member votes by January 4.
- Where
- Berlin, Germany.
- Why
- The SPD wants its members to decide whether to proceed with a coalition with the Left and the Greens.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Berlin SPD’s executive committee is due to vote on whether to hold a member vote.
The SPD state executive is due to consider the member-vote plan.
The Left party congress is due to decide on coalition negotiations.
The coalition agreement is scheduled to be completed.
Members of the SPD, Greens and Left are scheduled to cast their votes.
- SPD members
- About 17,500 in Berlin
- Proposed coalition
- SPD, Greens and the Left
- Coalition agreement deadline
- December 12
- Member-vote deadline
- January 4
What people are saying
The members must decide whether one wants to elect a Left party into the Red City Hall whose party makes antisemitism socially acceptable and believes it can solve the housing shortage in Berlin with costly plans for socialisation.
That should not be decided by a party congress alone.
The formation of a government in Berlin is an absolute turning point for the SPD. Such a decision must be supported by the breadth of its membership.