Berlin election puts Elif Eralp’s Left party at centre of coalition negotiations

Elif Eralp’s The Left party has finished first in Berlin’s state election, placing the Turkish-German politician in contention to become the city’s governing mayor. The result does not guarantee her election: Berlin’s House of Representatives elects the mayor, and The Left still needs coalition partners and a legislative majority.

Eralp campaigned on making Berlin more affordable through rent controls, a nationwide rent cap and greater municipal ownership of housing. She also proposed stronger inclusion for migrants and refugees, including a more welcoming approach to refugees and greater participation in civic life.

The far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, finished third in Berlin after winning in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera described the result as evidence that voters are looking beyond established parties, with dissatisfaction being directed towards both radical-left and radical-right challengers.

Eralp’s potential election would mark several firsts: she would be The Left’s first mayor of Berlin since reunification, as well as the city’s first woman of colour and first mayor of Turkish descent. Born in Munich to Turkish socialists and trade unionists who fled the 1980 military coup in Türkiye, she has represented Berlin in the House of Representatives since 2021 and became deputy chair of The Left’s parliamentary group in 2024.

Her campaign drew comparisons with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s democratic-socialist platform, particularly its focus on social inequality and urban affordability. According to analytics platform viral.app, Eralp was the most visible candidate on social media, recording 6.3 million views across platforms.

Coalition talks will determine whether Eralp can translate that campaign into government. Analysts have warned that some housing reforms could face legal hurdles, while The Left would also need to address accusations of anti-Semitism directed at the party.