Berlin SPD leadership votes 26-3 to open coalition talks with Left Party and Greens
Despite resistance in its own ranks, Berlin's Social Democrats will negotiate a left-wing alliance. The Greens decide Monday night, the Left Party only on Oct. 31.
The executive board of Berlin's Social Democrats cleared the way Monday for coalition talks with the Left Party and the Greens. Twenty-six board members voted in favor and three against at a virtual meeting, the Tagesspiegel newspaper reported. Among others, the local chapter of state party leader Steffen Krach had come out against an alliance with the Left Party. The SPD won just 12.1% in the Sept. 20 state election, its worst result in Berlin.
The Greens were set to decide at a small party convention Monday evening, and their parliamentary leader Werner Graf said he firmly expected a majority. The Left Party, the strongest force with 25.7%, will vote only on Oct. 31 because of the school autumn break. If approved, talks could begin in early November, and Left Party caucus leader Elif Eralp could become the party's first governing mayor of Berlin.
The most contentious issue remains a plan to socialize about 160,000 apartments owned by large companies. The three parties want to present a law by mid-2028. The federal government wants to block such expropriations but has not yet presented a bill.