Elif Eralp leads Die Linke to major victory in Berlin elections

Elif Eralp, a lawyer born in Munich to a Turkish family, has led the Die Linke (Left Party) to a significant victory in the Berlin state and mayoral elections. Her party secured 25.7% of the vote, totaling 468,060 votes, marking a record result for the party compared to previous elections.

Eralp’s platform focuses on addressing urban issues, including preventing high rents through the expropriation of thousands of homes held by cartels, building 70,000 new social housing units for low-income families over ten years, and tackling traffic congestion and rising crime rates. If she successfully forms a coalition, she could become the Berlin State Premier. Potential coalition partners include the Greens and the SPD, which would provide a majority of 95 seats.

Eralp’s political background includes membership in the HDK Berlin-Brandenburg (the Berlin branch of the HDP) and advocacy for Rojava. She is a prominent supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and was a key figure in the movement within Die Linke that led to the expulsion of Sahra Wagenknecht. While she condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks, she has also criticized Israeli military actions against Iran, describing them as contrary to international law, and supports the recognition of a Palestinian state.