Berlin’s Left faces coalition crisis after candidate admits fear of pro-Hamas figures in own party

Berlin's left-wing coalition talks face crisis after Die Linke mayoral candidate Elif Eralp inadvertently revealed in internal comments to Der Spiegel that she and her husband feared individuals within her own party linked to pro-Hamas figures. The CDU and some SPD members oppose the coalition.

Berlin's prospective left-wing government has been thrown into disarray after Die Linke mayoral candidate Elif Eralp inadvertently revealed in internal comments sent to Der Spiegel that she and her husband feared for their safety because of individuals within her own party with purported links to Palestinian terrorist organizations. The comments concerned Ibrahim Ibrahim, a pro-Palestinian activist who described the planner of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack as a "martyr hero." Eralp's annotations, accidentally included in an authorized interview version, stated she was "afraid for herself and her family." The controversy has placed pressure on coalition plans between Die Linke, the SPD, and the Greens. The CDU has called on the SPD and Greens to reconsider. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said he would try to prevent the coalition. Around 1,175 SPD members signed an appeal opposing it. Eralp received police protection after a concrete threat was identified. Die Linke voted to proceed with negotiations on October 31, 2026.