The short version
- Die Linke won approximately 26 percent of the vote in Berlin, surpassing the long-dominant Social Democrats and the Greens to position itself for a leading role in the next coalition government.
- Candidate Elif Eralp, a lawyer of Turkish descent, centered her campaign on combating corporate housing speculation and promising affordability, drawing comparisons to progressive movements in the United States.
- Potential coalition partners demand urgent clarity regarding allegations of antisemitism and links to criminal networks within Die Linke before agreeing to negotiations, creating significant uncertainty for governance.
The political landscape of Berlin shifted dramatically following last weekend’s city-state election, with the far-left party Die Linke emerging as the clear winner. Securing more than a quarter of the vote, the party outperformed the Social Democrats, who have historically dominated the capital’s politics, as well as the Greens and the conservative Christian Democratic Union. This result positions Die Linke to potentially lead a coalition government for the first time in the city’s history, marking a significant departure from established political norms in Germany’s capital.
At the center of this electoral surge is Elif Eralp, a 45-year-old lawyer and daughter of Turkish political migrants. Her candidacy has transformed her into a household name, particularly among younger voters, nearly half of whom cast their ballots for her. Eralp launched her bid last autumn with a candid acknowledgment of the barriers she faced, noting that individuals like herself are not traditionally expected to reach the mayor’s office. Her campaign strategy, which included intensive door-to-door outreach and social media engagement, successfully mobilized thousands of voters who had previously remained on the sidelines.
Eralp’s platform focused heavily on the crisis of unaffordable housing in Berlin. Once characterized by its low cost of living, the city has seen rents soar in recent years, prompting Eralp to promise a confrontation with corporate real estate giants. She argued that the city belongs to its residents rather than speculators and pledged to expropriate more than 200,000 apartments from large landlords to restore affordability. This ambitious policy has drawn sharp criticism from Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who warned of calamitous economic effects and vowed to introduce legislation to block such measures.
Observers have noted parallels between Eralp’s campaign and progressive movements in the United States, with some commentators drawing comparisons to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Her team reportedly consulted with advisers from Mamdani’s administration and modeled aspects of her strategy on the campaigns of veteran U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. During victory celebrations, Eralp emphasized themes of love and justice over hate, a direct reference to the gains made by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland in other regional elections. Despite these populist advances elsewhere, Die Linke’s success in Berlin suggests a distinct local dynamic driven by housing concerns and social justice appeals.
However, the path to forming a government remains fraught with challenges. The Social Democrats and the Greens, both potential coalition partners, have expressed reluctance to associate with Die Linke until certain internal issues are resolved. Serious accusations have surfaced regarding the party’s handling of antisemitism within its ranks and alleged toleration or courtship of criminal gangs. These concerns have cast a shadow over Eralp’s victory, with critics questioning the party’s commitment to democratic norms and public safety.
In response to these allegations, Die Linke leadership has denied any wrongdoing while promising stricter enforcement against antisemitism. The party announced that one of its Berlin members of parliament, who faced accusations of connections to criminal gangs and a pro-Hamas organization linked to terrorism, would suspend his parliamentary duties indefinitely. Eralp sought to reassure the public by stating unequivocally that any glorification of violence or terror is unacceptable. She affirmed her commitment to protecting Jewish communities alongside Muslims, Christians, and all other residents of the city.
Eralp has also worked to present herself as an ordinary citizen rather than a distant political figure. She resides in a rental apartment in Kreuzberg, a diverse neighborhood in south-central Berlin with a vibrant Turkish community, along with her husband and two children. Her children attend local state schools, and she has kept her family out of the public eye for safety reasons. Much of her campaigning in the district was conducted in Turkish, reflecting her deep ties to the community. Unlike many Turkish migrants who came to Germany as guest workers, Eralp’s parents arrived as political refugees, a background that informs her perspective on migration and integration.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Die Linke can translate its electoral success into governing power. Coalition negotiations will likely focus not only on policy differences regarding housing and economic management but also on the internal integrity of the party. If Eralp succeeds in forming a government, she would become Berlin’s first mayor of Turkish origin, symbolizing a significant moment for representation in German politics. Conversely, if coalition talks collapse due to unresolved controversies, the city could face prolonged political instability. The outcome will have broader implications for national politics, signaling either a shift toward progressive governance or a reinforcement of traditional barriers against left-wing leadership.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Elif Eralp: ‘Germany’s Zohran Mamdani’ who vows to be a mayor for all Berliners
