After the State Parliament elections held in Berlin, Germany's capital, on September 20, the government formation process became the top item on the agenda. While the results were being discussed within the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which experienced a historic loss of votes in the election, SPD's Berlin Senator for Labor and Social Affairs Cansel Kızıltepe announced that she is open to a possible coalition with The Left Party (Die Linke) and has a positive approach regarding The Left Party's candidate for premier, Elif Eralp.

The Left Party, which finished first in the Berlin elections with 25.7 percent of the vote, wants to establish contact with the SPD and the Greens for government formation talks. The Left Party leadership also recommended starting coalition talks with the SPD and the Greens.

Call for self-criticism within SPD over election results

The SPD's election performance, having received approximately 12 percent of the vote in Berlin, initiated a comprehensive discussion within the party. SPD Parliamentary Group Leader Raed Saleh described the result as a very heavy defeat, stating that the party's path to this point needs to be analyzed in detail.

Saleh also questioned the SPD's approach to centrist politics, stating, “The mantra of the center has failed.” He argued that not only the SPD's political line in Berlin but also policies at the federal government level influenced the election results.

Saleh also stated that reform policies implemented at the federal level should be re-evaluated, expressing doubts about whether the political course pursued was correct.

Cansel Kızıltepe: “Self-criticism must be made within the party”

SPD Senator Cansel Kızıltepe also stated that the election results should be addressed with comprehensive self-criticism within the party.

Kızıltepe stated that The Left Party, which emerged as the first party in the election, should take the first step in the government formation process, while also expressing that she is open to the formation of a coalition between the SPD and The Left Party.

One of the notable points in Kızıltepe's statements was The Left Party's candidate for premier, Elif Eralp. Kızıltepe stated that she has a positive approach to the possibility of Eralp becoming Berlin State Premier, adding that Eralp's life story reflects the city's social diversity and upward mobility.

Government search begins in Berlin

Following the elections, The Left Party wants to begin government formation talks with the SPD and the Greens. If such a coalition is formed, Elif Eralp becoming Berlin State Premier will come onto the agenda.

However, during potential coalition talks, issues such as housing policy, the nationalization of large housing companies, and the fight against antisemitism within The Left Party are expected to be important topics. The SPD and the Greens state that they expect clarification and a stance from The Left Party on these issues.

Therefore, the post-election political process in Berlin is not yet complete. The Left Party's talks with the SPD and the Greens will also determine whether Elif Eralp will become Berlin's first State Premier from The Left Party.

Baba Ajans/Berlin