Full Breakdown
Berlin’s Left Party Victory Signals a New Direction on Housing and Coalition Politics
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 20, 2026, the Berlin state election produced a historic win for Die Linke. Exit-polls placed the party’s lead candidate, Elif Eralp, at roughly 25 % of the vote, ahead of the CDU at about 19 % and the AfD at 16 %. The SPD fell to 12 %. Die Linke now leads the Berlin House of Representatives, but a coalition is required to elect a governing mayor.
Background & Context
Berlin’s housing market has become a central political fault line. Over the past decade rents have risen by roughly 70 %, and more than 84 % of residents are renters, with 10 % living in housing poverty. A 2021 referendum saw 58 % back a proposal to transfer large private housing portfolios to public ownership. Die Linke built its campaign on this demand, promising to expropriate ? 210 000 units from corporate landlords such as Deutsche Wohnen and Vonovia.
Eralp, a 45-year-old lawyer of Turkish descent, entered politics as a legal adviser for Die Linke in the Bundestag in 2010 and has served in the Berlin House since 2021.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Die Linke vote share | 24.5 % – 25.7 % |
| CDU vote share | 18.8 % – 19 % |
| AfD vote share | 16 % – 16.3 % |
| SPD vote share | 12.1 % |
| Housing units targeted | ? 210 000 |
| Cost estimate | €20 billion (SPD) |
| Referendum support | 58 % |
Official Statements & Responses
Eralp framed the result as a mandate to make Berlin “affordable for everyone” and pledged to move forward with the housing-socialisation plan while emphasizing protection for all communities.
The Greens’ leader Felix Banaszak said any coalition with Die Linke must include a firm commitment to combat antisemitism. SPD lead candidate Steffen Krach echoed this condition.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the expropriation proposal could have “devastating effects” on foreign investment and reiterated that antisemitism must not be tolerated in Berlin.
Criticism & Opposition
The party’s local branches have faced accusations of antisemitism. Central Council of Jews head Josef Schuster alleged that Die Linke crossed the line with antisemitic remarks during the campaign. Die Linke co-chair Ines Schwerdtner and Eralp distanced the party from incidents involving extremist guests at a victory celebration, calling any glorification of violence “absolutely unacceptable.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Die Linke’s exact vote share (24.5 %–25.7 %) and the number of housing units slated for expropriation (? 200 000–220 000). Cost projections are limited to the SPD’s €20 billion estimate; no detailed financing plan has been disclosed, leaving legal and fiscal feasibility uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is absolutely clear to me that the glorification of violence and terrorism is completely unacceptable," Eralp told a news conference.” — Elif Eralp
- “During the election campaign, the Left Party repeatedly crossed the line with antisemitic remarks,” — Josef Schuster, Central Council of Jews
- “We cannot tolerate foreign crime and antisemitism being commonplace in Germany or Berlin,” — Friedrich Merz, Chancellor