Politics · Germany · 16 hrs ago
Berlin Left leader Elif Eralp vows to pursue mayor role despite criticism
Berlin Left leader Elif Eralp says she will keep pursuing the city’s top job despite what she calls pressure to give up.
She accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of trying to pressure the Greens and Social Democrats against forming a coalition with her party in Berlin.
The Left wants to form a red-green-red government with those two parties, and its members are due to decide whether to begin coalition talks.
Eralp described criticism of her and her party as an “attack wave” and said she had received both demands to resign and messages of support.
The dispute intensified after a media report raised questions about her family’s safety and her comments on a Palestinian activist.
Eralp said she would oppose antisemitism and racism and argued that her personal concerns would not stop her from protecting Berlin.
Her party is expected to back starting coalition talks at its convention.
Berlin Left parliamentary leader Elif Eralp said she would not give up her aim of becoming the city’s governing mayor.
Speaking at a state party congress, she said she and her party faced an “attack wave” and would withstand it.
She rejected criticism over a report about concerns for her family’s safety, saying she would not be intimidated.
The Berlin Left plans to decide whether to begin coalition talks with the Greens and Social Democrats.
- Who
- Elif Eralp, leader of the Berlin Left parliamentary group.
- What
- She reaffirmed her intention to become Berlin’s governing mayor and said she would not give up.
- When
- At a Berlin Left state party congress on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Berlin.
- Why
- She said she would pursue the role despite criticism and what she described as pressure to make her and her party give up.
Elif Eralp
Critics calling for her resignation
Her ability to lead Berlin
Elif Eralp
Eralp said her personal concerns would help her understand people’s concerns and that she would protect the city.
Critics calling for her resignation
Critics, including people who called for her resignation, argued that her concerns about her family’s safety raised doubts about her ability to protect Berlin.
A Spiegel report about Eralp’s concerns for her family’s safety was published, according to t-online.
Eralp addressed criticism at the Berlin Left state party congress and reaffirmed her intention to become governing mayor.
The Berlin Left was expected to vote on whether to begin coalition talks with the Greens and Social Democrats.
- Party leader
- Elif Eralp
- Political goal
- Become Berlin’s governing mayor
- Party congress
- Berlin, October 31, 2026
- Planned housing policy
- The Berlin Left wants to put 160,000 homes owned by large companies under public ownership
- Coalition decision
- The party was due to vote on starting talks with the Greens and Social Democrats
3 sources
What people are saying
We will not let them get us down, and I will not give up.
I will not be intimidated.
The people of this city elected us for change, and we will implement it.
a promise of protection