Berlin's Left Party Inches Toward Power Despite Interview Scandal
Is Berlin allowing Islamists to run its government or is this an individual case of threats being used to smear a candidate?
Story
Above: Elif Eralp speaks to the press at the Berlin House of Representatives in Germany on Oct. 29. Image credit: Katrin Luxenburger/picture alliance/Getty Images
The Facts
- Despite controversy over leaked interview comments last week, Berlin's Die Linke (The Left) party, which won 25.7% of the vote in the Sept. 20 city election, officially opened coalition negotiations Saturday, where 43 of 45 Greens and the SPD co-chairs supported Die Linke leader Elif Eralp.
- German newspaper Der Spiegel published internal notes Oct. 28 by Berlin mayoral candidate Elif Eralp, of Die Linke, in which she wrote, "I can't put myself and my family in danger for Der Spiegel," referring to militant pro-Palestine supporters of her party.
- Responding the next day, Eralp, who previously distanced herself from some party members and affirmed that she recognizes Israel's right to exist, pledged to "ensure the security of all Berliners." However, potential coalition partners, Greens and Social Democratic Party (SPD), are now being encouraged not to work with Die Linke.
Sources Split
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RIGHT
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The Spin
Right narrative
Anyone too frightened to name the threats faced by their city is no fit to run that city. When party celebrations attract figures who glorify terror leaders and the leadership quietly fears them, extremism is setting the terms. Berlin deserves a city hall where militant Islam and intimidation get no vetoes.
Left narrative
Publishing the private notes of a threatened woman, against her explicit wishes, strips away the protection every public figure is owed. Fear in the face of organized crime and extremist harassment is honesty, not unfitness for office. This is a clear case of smear tactics aimed at erasing migrant political participation and reversing a Die Linke victory.
