Politics · Germany · 9 hrs ago
Berlin Left faction distances itself from MP Vanessa Emde
The Berlin Left faction leadership has distanced itself from Vanessa Emde, a party MP from Neukölln.
Emde has drawn criticism for comments about Israel and the conflict in the Middle East.
She has said she stands by her statements, including that states do not have a right to exist, only people.
The faction recently signed a statement supporting the fight against antisemitism, the protection of Jewish life and Israel's right to exist, which Emde later criticized.
The faction says Emde cannot speak publicly on its behalf because it does not have a shared working basis with her.
She has not been expelled, and the faction plans to discuss what to do next at a meeting on Tuesday, to which she will be invited.
The dispute comes as the Left, Greens and Social Democrats hold talks about possible cooperation in Berlin.
The leadership of Berlin’s Left parliamentary group said it no longer has a shared basis for working with MP Vanessa Emde.
Group leader Tobias Schulze said Emde was not cooperating with the party and could not speak publicly for the group in the current situation.
The group’s executive board will discuss next steps at a meeting on Tuesday and has invited Emde.
The dispute follows Emde’s Instagram comments rejecting the idea that states have a right to exist and her criticism of a group declaration supporting Israel’s right to exist.
No decision to expel Emde from the parliamentary group was announced.
- Who
- Berlin Left parliamentary group leaders and Neukölln MP Vanessa Emde.
- What
- The group leadership distanced itself from Emde and said she could not speak publicly for the group at present. It will discuss next steps with her.
- When
- 16 October 2026; the executive board is due to discuss the matter on Tuesday.
- Where
- Berlin, Germany.
- Why
- The leadership said there was no shared basis for work because Emde was not cooperating with the party and had effectively withdrawn her signature from a group declaration in a social media post.
Berlin Left parliamentary group leadership
Vanessa Emde
Working relationship
Berlin Left parliamentary group leadership
The leadership said there was no shared basis for work and that Emde could not speak publicly for the group in the current situation.
Vanessa Emde
Emde said she stood by her statements and would not withdraw them.
Israel’s right to exist
Berlin Left parliamentary group leadership
The group’s declaration supported Israel’s right to exist and the protection of Jewish life.
Vanessa Emde
Emde said states do not have a right to exist, only people, and criticised the group declaration.
The Berlin Left parliamentary group adopted a declaration supporting the fight against antisemitism, the protection of Jewish life and Israel’s right to exist.
Emde repeated her disputed comments about Israel’s right to exist in an Instagram video.
Schulze announced that the group leadership saw no shared basis for working with Emde and said she could not speak publicly for the group.
The group’s executive board is due to discuss next steps and has invited Emde.
- MP
- Vanessa Emde, elected directly in Neukölln
- Group leader
- Tobias Schulze
- Party
- The Left in Berlin
- Next meeting
- Group executive board meeting on Tuesday; Emde invited
- Stated position
- The group leadership said there was no shared basis for work with Emde
- Status
- No expulsion decision was announced
8 sources
„Kooperiert nicht mit der Partei“ - Schmeißt die Linke Israel-Hasserin Emde jetzt doch raus?
Linke-Fraktionsspitze rückt von umstrittener Abgeordneter ab
Regierungsbildung in Berlin: Linke-Fraktionsspitze rückt von umstrittener Abgeordneter ab
Berlin: Spitze der Berliner Linksfraktion geht auf Distanz zu Vanessa Emde
Nach Aussagen in Video: Fraktionsspitze der Berliner Linken distanziert sich von Vanessa Emde
What people are saying
Wir müssen feststellen, dass wir uns mit einer Abgeordneten konstituiert haben, die nicht mit der Partei kooperiert – weder mit der Bezirks- noch mit der Landes- oder Bundesebene
Der Fraktionsvorstand ist sich einig, dass Frau Emde in dieser Situation nicht öffentlich für die Fraktion sprechen kann.
Ich stehe zu meinen Aussagen, und ich nehme keine einzige dieser Aussagen zurück
Die Linksfraktion hat angekündigt, dass sie handeln wird. Es ist gut, dass sie sich des Problems schnell annimmt.