GERMANY’S anti-capitalist Left party has won a major state election in Berlin, beating both the ruling Conservatives and the far-right Alternative for Germany.
Elif Eralp, dubbed “Germany’s Mamdani”, led Die Linke (the Left Party) to its best result in the country’s capital, putting them on course to lead the city for the first time in a potential coalition government.
The Left secured a historic win in Berlin Credit: EPA
Eralp has been dubbed the “German Mamdani” Credit: REUTERS
Despite ousting Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives from the mayor’s office, the far-left leader faces pressure to address accusations of antisemitism in parts of the local party.
Potential coalition partners, the centre-left Social Democrats and Greens, have said they are ready to discuss forming a coalition, but both want Eralp to address the longstanding antisemitism allegations, often linked to criticism of Israel.
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The most recent issue is in relation to a campaign event featuring a rapper who chanted “Death to the IDF” in reference to the Israeli military.
Eralp quickly distanced herself from the comments and disputed allegations of anti-Semitism within the party.
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The Israel-Gaza conflict has been an extremely sensitive subject in Germany, which has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
There is contention over the military group Hamas and the Israeli bombardment that has destroyed much of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Eralp replied to the allegations saying it was her “absolute priority” to ensure that all groups in Berlin, including Jews and Muslims, “feel safe and can lead a good life here”.
She said: “It is absolutely clear to me that the glorification of violence and terrorism is completely unacceptable.”
Merz called the rise in antisemitism a “disgrace for Germany” and pledged action to tackle incidents in Berlin that he said had concerned European partners.
Eralp’s successful election campaign marks the first time the Left has won in Berlin since reunification in 1990.
The Left are now looking to secure a coalition government Credit: REUTERS
Eralp says she plans to make Berlin safe for all people, including Jews and Muslims Credit: EPA
The Left party has promised affordable housing, rent controls and more political inclusion for immigrants and refugees.
Her policies have been compared to that of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who also made affordable housing a key part of his 2025 campaign.
In Mamdani style, Eralp’s campaign was centred on personal campaigning and social media, leading to strong votes with the youth and those who had previously abstained from voting.
She said: “Berlin has clearly voted in favour of a change in policy, for an affordable Berlin where everyone can live with dignity, regardless of income or background, and for the rent crisis to be tackled consistently at long last.”
Some of her party members travelled to New York to meet with Mamdani’s advisers and learn more about his campaign strategy.
She added: “As a woman, I’m reluctant to compare myself to a man. But naturally Mamdani’s success was a big example for us.
“And we were very happy about it, because that election victory sent a very clear signal not just to New York, but to the entire world.”
Her party’s policies are in stark contrast to political rivals, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, who have prioritised nationalism and tighter immigration controls.
Two weeks ago, the AfD won the Saxony-Anhalt state elections by a staggering 43.8 per cent, but came third in Berlin.
Following recent results, experts believe Germans are turning to less traditional political candidates.
Martin Fuchs, a German political and digital consultant, told Al Jazeera: “There was a strong desire for disruption and radical political change.”
