The Left party has formally selected Elif Eralp as its lead candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections, marking a strategic move as the party seeks to capitalize on a recent resurgence in popularity within Berlin. The official nomination occurred during the state party conference in Lichtenberg on Saturday, following the approval of a key policy proposal.
Eralp’s inaugural speech centered on the pressing issue of housing affordability, a defining challenge for the capital. Addressing attendees, she pledged to challenge the dominance of large property corporations, accusing them of implementing illegal rent increases. Her proposed solutions include the potential nationalization of these companies and the imposition of rent controls on state-owned housing, a policy likely to spark considerable debate and potentially face legal challenges. The platform represents a sharp departure from more moderate approaches and signals a more assertive stance within the political landscape.
Beyond housing, Eralp’s agenda also includes significant investment in public education and accessible public transportation – traditional priorities for the Left party. However, her comments on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East introduced a complex and potentially divisive element to her campaign. Berlin is home to Europe’s largest Palestinian community and Eralp expressed pride in the presence of a vibrant Jewish community, emphatically condemning antisemitism and reaffirming her commitment to their safety and visibility.
She acknowledged the “brutal massacre” perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, as a pivotal moment, while simultaneously advocating for a nuanced perspective that avoids pitting the suffering of one side against that of the other. This balancing act – demonstrating solidarity with Jewish communities while advocating for Palestinian rights – is a delicate political maneuver, likely to attract both support and criticism.
The Left party has demonstrably recovered from a period of significant polling decline, currently positioned as the second most popular political force in Berlin, trailing behind the governing CDU. However, projections indicate the CDU is likely to experience losses in the September 2026 elections, potentially opening a window of opportunity for The Left to significantly alter the city’s political dynamic. Eralp’s candidacy and platform, with its bold proposals and assertive stance on sensitive global issues, will undoubtedly shape the tenor of the upcoming election cycle and test the boundaries of acceptable political discourse within the city.