Politics · Germany · 8 hrs ago
Berlin Left backs coalition talks with Social Democrats and Greens
Berlin’s Left party approved coalition talks with the Social Democrats and Greens at a party conference.
The talks are due to begin on Monday, six weeks after Berlin’s election.
The Left won 25.7% of the vote and became the largest party in the city, while the previous governing coalition lost its majority.
The proposed three-party government is expected to pursue a plan to bring about 160,000 homes into public ownership with compensation.
That proposal has drawn strong opposition from business groups and is among the issues likely to shape negotiations.
Disputes over antisemitism have also strained the process, alongside a controversy over Left candidate Elif Eralp’s handling of an interview question about a Palestinian activist.
The parties have already agreed on a joint statement about antisemitism, Israel’s right to exist and protecting Jewish life, which they plan to include in a coalition agreement.
Berlin’s Left party voted by a clear majority to begin coalition talks with the Social Democrats and Greens.
The talks are due to begin on Monday, six weeks after Berlin’s election.
The proposed three-party coalition would be led by the Left, which won 25.7 percent of the vote.
The coalition talks face disputes over antisemitism and a proposal to transfer about 160,000 homes owned by five companies into public ownership.
Left leader Elif Eralp said she would not give up on becoming Berlin’s first governing mayor from her party.
- Who
- Berlin’s Left party, the Social Democrats and the Greens.
- What
- The Left approved coalition talks with the Social Democrats and Greens.
- When
- The vote took place on October 31, 2026; talks are due to begin on Monday.
- Where
- Berlin, Germany.
- Why
- The parties are pursuing a three-party coalition after the Berlin election. The sources do not state a single reason for the Left’s vote.
Supporters of coalition talks
Critics of coalition talks
Government participation
Supporters of coalition talks
The party’s delegates backed talks by a clear majority, seeking to govern and bring about change.
Critics of coalition talks
Party members and left-radical groups protested against participation in government.
Proposed housing policy
Supporters of coalition talks
The coalition exploratory paper proposes transferring about 160,000 homes owned by five companies into public ownership.
Critics of coalition talks
Business groups oppose the plans, and the federal government wants to stop them with a new law.
The Left won 25.7 percent in Berlin’s parliamentary election and became the strongest party.
The Left voted to begin exploratory talks.
The three parties presented an exploratory paper as the basis for coalition negotiations.
The Berlin Left voted by a clear majority to approve coalition talks with the Social Democrats and Greens.
Coalition talks are due to begin.
- Vote date
- October 31, 2026
- Election result
- The Left won 25.7 percent on September 20
- Coalition partners
- The Left, Social Democrats and Greens
- Talks start
- Monday
- Housing proposal
- About 160,000 homes owned by five companies
- Proposed coalition pledge
- A joint statement on antisemitism, Israel’s right to exist and protecting Jewish life
8 sources
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What people are saying
We will not let them break us, and I will not give up
The people in this city elected us for change, and we will deliver it
These will not be the last attacks
It is no crime to stand against violations of international law. It would be a crime not to do so.