Story perspectives

Die Linke wins Berlin mayoral race with 26%

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 10:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Die Linke’s 26% vote share in Berlin made Elif Eralp the city’s first mayor from the party.
Eralp’s campaign called for rent caps and social-housing expansion and expropriation of corporate landlords.
Young voters drove the result, with 49% of 25-34-year-olds and 43% of 16-24-year-olds supporting Die Linke.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU earned only 4.9% of the vote, missing the 5% threshold and losing all seats.

History

Historical Context

In the March 1990 free Volkskammer election, the rebranded former SED secured 66 seats with about 11 % of the East German vote, entering the Bundestag for the first time. After merging with the WASG in 2007 to form Die Linke, the party built a strong eastern base, now winning 26 % in Berlin and the mayoralty in 2024.

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Story summary

Die Linke’s 26% vote share in Berlin made Elif Eralp the city’s first mayor from the party.
Eralp’s campaign called for rent caps and social-housing expansion and expropriation of corporate landlords.
Young voters drove the result, with 49% of 25-34-year-olds and 43% of 16-24-year-olds supporting Die Linke.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU earned only 4.9% of the vote, missing the 5% threshold and losing all seats.

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