Richtungsstreit: Linksbündnis in Berlin? Bei den Grünen wächst der Zweifel

The recent Berlin elections have left the Green party in a difficult position regarding potential coalition partners. Green party leader Felix Banaszak and Fraktion leader Katharina Dröge appeared on Instagram to discuss the election shortly after the results were announced. While the videos reveal a shift in the party's stance, they also highlight the growing pressure for the Greens to adopt a tougher stance.

The Link Party won 25.7% of the vote in the recent Berlin elections, securing fourth place. The Green party, with 14.3% of the vote, came in fourth place and is now considering discussions with the Link Party and the SPD about a potential coalition. The Green party sympathizes with the Link Party's proposed government in Berlin, as they believe it will make the city more socially progressive.

However, the Greens face several challenges in forming a coalition with the Link Party. They are accused of antisemitism and of having links to organized crime. Banaszak stated that the Link Party must clarify its relationship with Islamism and organized crime to be seen as trustworthy. They must demonstrate that there is a reliable mechanism in place to prevent future antisemitic or problematic incidents.

The Green party's concerns extend to the party and faction leadership. Fraktion leader Dröge stated that the antisemitism issue within the Berlin Link Party is not an isolated incident but rather a structural problem. Several Bundestag members have said that the situation is "hectic," and they need a stable left-wing government that will not fall apart after a few months.

Before the potential coalition talks, Werner Graf, the Green party's top candidate in Berlin, had supported a coalition of the Green, Link, and SPD parties, believing it would lead to the greatest content overlap. However, the computer calculations show that a coalition between the CDU, Green, and SPD is also possible. The Greens, however, are not keen on being perceived as part of a coalition against the election winner.

The Green party's stance has surprised many, as they had previously promised their party that they would not interfere in the details of the government formation. At the Bundesspitze's leadership meeting the day after the election, the Bundesspitze had agreed to avoid interfering in the specifics of the government formation. Yet, leading Greens from different factions are expressing their discontent over the Greens' unilateral decision to align with the left-wing Berlin party.

Some leading Greens who have always been skeptical of the Berlin party have even suggested that a coalition with the CDU would be the better option. This would avoid a potential "chaos coalition" with the Link Party and allow the Greens to distance themselves from it. However, members of the Link Party in the Neukölln district have already been suspected of antisemitism, and the Greens fear that around five problematic members might be present in the new Link Party faction.

They are considering introducing a mechanism to expel such individuals from the faction if they cause another rift.

Despite these challenges, the Green party still hopes that a left-wing government can be established in Berlin. The federal party has been divided on this issue, with some members believing that a red-green-red coalition would be a chance for Berlin to finally have a progressive government. However, the Greens can only participate in such a coalition if antisemitic individuals and those with connections to criminal structures do not have any influence.