Debate about Eralp overshadows government formation

According to Spiegel report, debate about Eralp overshadows government formation As of: October 30, 2026 • 10:02 a.m

The formation of a government in Berlin is once again overshadowed by a debate about the Left Party. In focus: the possible future Governing Mayor Eralp. And the question of how decisively it can take action against Islamism.

Elif Eralp wants to become Governing Mayor of Berlin. With her Left Party she wants to forge a government alliance with the Greens and the SPD. But a report by Spiegel has reignited the debate about how capable the Left is of governing in the capital.

In Eralp's internal comments published by Spiegel, the politician expressed her concern for herself and her family if she explicitly commented on a known Hamas sympathizer. A fear that is entirely understandable for the federal chairwoman of the Green Party, Franziska Brantner. Anyone who is threatened by extremists and organized crime needs compassion and, above all, must be protected, Brantner told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

The background: The Spiegel report published yesterday was based on an interview with Eralp. In the process of authorizing the interview, Eralp's team also accidentally sent the politician's internal comments to the editorial team that were not intended for publication. Der Spiegel now decided to publish her statements anyway. In it, Eralp explained that she did not want to comment explicitly on the Hamas sympathizer Ibrahim Ibrahim because she feared risks for herself and her family. Ibrahim is said to be close to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is classified as a terrorist organization by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

In comments to a Spiegel interview, left-wing politician Elif Eralp worried about her safety. more

In response to the Spiegel article, Eralp defended her stance in a video published on Instagram. After the election to the House of Representatives in September, threats against her increased. Security authorities such as the State Criminal Police Office also advised her against mentioning specific names like Ibrahim's in public statements. “And of course I take the professional advice of authorities very seriously and weigh my words carefully,” emphasized Eralp.

She criticized Spiegel's decision to publish the internal comments. A request from her team was deliberately ignored. The co-chairman of the Berlin Left Party, Tobias Schulze, also described the magazine's actions as "not honest".

At the same time, Eralp emphasized that she would not allow herself to be intimidated by anyone and that, should she become mayor, she would “take consistent action against any form of organized crime, violence or terror.”

Security debate after Spiegel interview by Berlin left-wing politician Eralp Kerstin Breinig, RBB, tagesschau, Das Erste, October 29, 2026 • 8:00 p.m. Concerns about the left's possible proximity to the Islamist scene In the past few weeks, the Berlin left has been under constant criticism - because of allegations of anti-Semitism within its own ranks. And the question of whether parts of the party in Berlin could be too close to the Islamist milieu. These concerns had already been fueled by the appearance of the activist Ibrahim at a Left Neukölln election party.

Concerns that also raise doubts among Martin Hikel, SPD district mayor in Berlin-Neukölln. Not because of Eralp's personal attitude. But with regard to the question of whether the possible future governing mayor "is able to get the ghosts that the Left has called as a party back under control," Hikel said in an interview with tagesthemen.

Hikel warned that decisive action against Islamism was all the more important because, in his view, there was a “normalization of Islamism.” Islamist movements are becoming increasingly “socially acceptable” and are moving into the center of society. Also because Islamist narratives are now too often adopted uncritically. And also because there are “actors” on the left who sometimes cooperate very openly with “actors of Islamism,” Hikel continued.

Martin Hikel, SPD district mayor of Berlin-Neukölln, about the security debate tagesthemen, Das Erste, October 29, 2026 • 10:15 p.m. Frei calls for rejection of coalition negotiations The CDU takes the Spiegel article as an opportunity to once again warn against a government coalition with the participation of the Left Party in Berlin. “Anyone who tolerates cooperation with Hamas sympathizers within their own ranks cannot credibly take responsibility for the security of millions of Berliners,” emphasized Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei, also in an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

The Greens and the SPD, both of which have already agreed to coalition negotiations with the Left, would have to “pull the emergency brake,” said Frei. The Left will decide whether to start such negotiations at a state party conference tomorrow. Possible discussions could then begin next week.

The CDU was replaced by the Left as the strongest force in Berlin in the September election. But even as the second strongest force, a coalition with the Greens and SPD would be enough for a government majority if a red-green-red alliance doesn't work.

The SPD also has reservations about a coalition with the Left Party and the Greens. “I wouldn’t do it,” said the deputy chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group, Siemtje Möller, in the ARD morning magazine. In their opinion, this constellation is not at all politically viable because of the connection between individual leftists and organized crime and the unresolved problems with anti-Semitism. Eralp's fear of supporters of the terrorist organization Hamas shows that the promise made by the Left Party in the exploratory talks with the SPD and the Greens for a tough course against anti-Semitism and organized crime cannot be fulfilled.

Both parties decided to hold coalition negotiations in the evening - the vote for the Left is still pending. more

This topic in the program: The First | Daily news | Oct 29, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. Das Erste | Daily Topics | Oct 29, 2026 | 10:15 p.m