Berlin Left postpones decision on Emde – MP calls in sick
The group leadership met without the controversial Neukölln MP. Talks continue next week, and a Left Party conference on 31 October will decide on coalition negotiations.
Archive image · Photo: Abghs / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
The Left Party group in Berlin's state parliament has postponed a decision on how to deal with its MP Vanessa Emde. Emde called in sick, and Tuesday's meeting of the group leadership took place without her, a group spokesperson told the AFP news agency. “The group will continue its deliberations on the matter next week,” the spokesperson said. Expulsion from the group is considered possible. Even then, Emde would keep her seat in the Berlin House of Representatives.
Emde, who won the Neukölln constituency directly on 20 September with 46.2 percent, has repeatedly stated that only people, not states, have a right to exist. She also criticised an anti-antisemitism declaration signed by all group members – including herself – that affirms Israel's right to exist. In an Instagram video she said: “I stand by my statements, and I do not withdraw a single one of them.” The group leadership sees no basis for further cooperation.
The dispute weighs on the planned government formation. In their exploratory paper, the Left, the Greens and the SPD committed to protecting Jewish life, Israel's right to exist and a two-state solution, with sanctions up to expulsion from the group for violations. The SPD state executive and a Greens party conference have approved coalition talks. The Left, which came first with 25.7 percent, will decide at a party conference on 31 October; talks could then begin in early November.