Berlin Left Party candidate Elif Eralp proposes housing socialization

Elif Eralp, the top candidate for the Left Party (Die Linke) in the upcoming Berlin House of Representatives election, stated that the socialization of large real estate corporations is not an immediate possibility but will require time. Eralp supports socializing companies owning more than 3,000 apartments to lower rents by increasing city-owned housing. Her platform also includes a rent cap for state-owned housing companies and the establishment of a state office for tenant protection.

Addressing social issues, Eralp emphasized the need for immediate action against antisemitism. She distanced herself and party leader Kerstin Wolter from a recent incident involving a rapper at a party event in Neukölln who called for the destruction of the Israeli army. While she condemned the incident, she declined to comment on potential personnel consequences or ongoing prosecutorial investigations.

Regarding the state budget, Eralp opposed a bid for the Olympic Games, labeling it a waste of money. To increase state revenue, she proposed raising the real estate transfer tax.