Full Breakdown
Berlin’s Left-Wing Mayor Candidate Faces Security-Related Controversy
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
The Internal Remarks and Their Publication
During a Der Spiegel interview in Berlin’s House of Representatives, Die Linke mayoral candidate Elif Eralp was asked about antisemitism and pro-Palestinian activists linked to Hamas. After the interview, her office returned an annotated transcript for approval—a standard German practice. Der Spiegel published the internal notes on October 29, arguing that the public interest outweighed Eralp’s security concerns.
02
Election Outcome and Coalition Prospects
In the September 20 Berlin state election, Die Linke won 25.7 % of the vote, ahead of the CDU (18.8 %), AfD (16.3 %), Greens (14.3 %) and SPD (12.1 %). The result positioned Eralp to seek a coalition with the SPD and Greens. Both parties voted on October 19 to open formal talks, and a Die Linke state conference is scheduled for October 31 to decide whether to proceed.
03
Background on Party Ties and Security Concerns
The controversy centers on Ibrahim Ibrahim, a septuagenarian activist associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the United Palestinian National Committee (VPNK), who attended Die Linke’s election-night celebration in Neukölln on September 20. Berlin’s domestic intelligence service classifies him as an extremist; he previously described the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack as a “martyr” act. Eralp acknowledged the incident when asked by Der Spiegel and later tried to delete the reference from the transcript.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Die Linke denied accusations of antisemitism and said the party has no ties to organized crime. The LKA’s advisory note, cited in Eralp’s comments, warned against publicly naming individuals linked to criminal or extremist networks. The SPD and Greens, while opening coalition talks, have expressed reservations about the party’s ability to distance itself from extremist elements.
05
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition figures argue the incident shows Eralp may be unable to confront security threats. CDU mayoral candidate Stefan Evers said a mayor who fears naming “terrorist sympathizers” cannot be trusted to protect the city. Former mayor Michael Müller warned Eralp could be vulnerable to blackmail. Conservative parliamentarian Christopher Förster said Berlin needs a mayor who can stand up to extremists without personal-safety constraints. Neukölln district mayor Martin Hikel (SPD) described the situation as proof of “terror-glorifying, anti-Semitic forces” in Die Linke. The Central Council of Jews in Germany warned the SPD and Greens have a duty not to hand security responsibility to the Left Party.
06
Verbatim Quotes
- “If the woman who is supposed to govern Berlin in the future is so afraid for herself and her family that she hesitates to publicly name terrorist sympathizers, while parts of her own party are working hand in hand with those very circles, then reasonable voices within the Greens and [Social Democrats] must finally pull the emergency brake,” — Stefan Evers
- “ The chairman of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, warned: "The SPD and the Greens have a duty not to hand governmental responsibility for Berlin and for the security of the Jewish community to the Left Party" and claimed the story showed that "the Left Party is incapable of distancing itself from terrorist sympathizers and antisemites.” — Central Council
07
What’s Next
Formal coalition negotiations between Die Linke, the SPD and the Greens are slated to begin shortly, with the Die Linke state conference on October 31 set to determine the party’s participation. The outcome will shape Berlin’s governing coalition and influence how the city addresses security policy amid the controversy surrounding Eralp’s internal remarks.