Nach der Wahl in Berlin: Linke will Berlin regieren und pocht auf Vergesellschaftung

In the wake of Berlin's recent election, the Left party (Linke) aims to form a governing coalition with the Greens and SPD. Elif Eralp, the party's spokesperson and potential first female mayor, has advocated for talks with these parties. Eralp expects a "clear mandate" for such discussions and stresses the importance of "socialization" of large property conglomerates as a democratic mandate given by voters.

She notes that in 2021, Berliners voted in favor of this approach to address the housing crisis and speculative property market. Eralp is committed to implementing these plans as a solution to the rental crisis and speculative housing in the capital. Compromises will likely be necessary during negotiations. The SPD and Greens previously voiced support for socialization.

The upcoming SPD and Green party conventions have historically backed the idea of socialization. The Left party emerged as the strongest force in Berlin with 25.7% of the vote, surpassing the previous 2023 election. The CDU and AfD follow with 18.8% and 16.3% respectively, while the Greens and SPD trail with 14.3% and 12.1% respectively.

The CDU/SPD coalition has lost its majority, and a possible coalition could consist of the Left, Greens, and SPD or CDU, Greens, and SPD. The AfD refuses to cooperate. After the election, the Left party faces the challenge of forming a government, with Grüne and SPD demanding a clear commitment against antisemitism from Eralp. If not met, the parties will not cooperate.

The SPD, after its worst-ever election results, must rebuild its image. Eralp must explicitly distance herself from antisemitic incidents reported at party events. The SPD's Bundestag chief, Bärbel Bas, also called for consequences from Eralp. The Greens' candidate, Werner Graf, emphasized the urgent need for action, including distancing the party from problematic elements.

Despite the party's historical reputation as "the Berlin party," the SPD is now rebuilding itself. The focus is on reforming the Berlin SPD. It remains unclear whether SPD economic minister Franziska Giffey, who served as regent from 2021 to 2023, will participate in the new parliament. SPD faction leader Raed Saleh criticized the party's past reliance on "inert and empty phrases" from a failed and chosen middle-ground politics.

The CDU is keeping options open for a potential alliance with the Greens and SPD, but ultimately, it is up to the Left party to initiate negotiations.