Federal politics: Left politician Koçak gives up seat on interior committee entirely

Berliner Linke-Abgeordneter Ferat Koçak has withdrawn his seat from the Interior Committee of the Bundestag following criticism for excessive proximity to criminal clan structures. In a post on X, Koçak stated, "I do not want my colleagues and their important parliamentary work to be further burdened by attacks on my person. Therefore, I am withdrawing my seat from the Interior Committee."

His committee activity had already been suspended due to allegations. Koçak also admitted, "I have made a mistake. In dealing with my contact with the Remmo family, I did not live up to my own standards. I was naive and overwhelmed by the situation in this specific instance. For this, I take responsibility." Koçak found himself under pressure after the election to the Berlin parliament due to friendly chat messages with a son from a clan-affiliated large family.

The allegedly published content of these messages reportedly included a request for assistance from "all your people" in spreading a video of him. Koçak had previously labeled this as a mistake and temporarily withdrawn from public life and the Interior Committee of the Bundestag. Photos from a party at the Left Party's election showed him alongside Ibrahim Ibrahim.

According to the association democ, which deals with anti-democratic movements, Koçak is a long-standing activist of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the USA. The term "Clan-criminality" is controversial because critics argue it stigmatizes and discriminates against people with a migration background solely based on their family membership and origin. The Left Party largely rejects this term as well.