The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the Greens, and The Left have reached an agreement this Thursday to confront antisemitism in the city-state of Berlin. This pact was an essential condition demanded by social democrats and ecologists to formally open the conversations aimed at forming a tripartite government in this territory, after the mid-September elections, in which The Left positioned itself as the most voted force.
"We protect the lives of Jews, we strengthen social cohesion, and we work for peace and understanding," they stated in a joint statement announcing the agreement, which considers Israel's right to exist as "non-negotiable."
As the three formations explained, public and parliamentary officials of the SPD, the Greens, and The Left who violate the principles outlined in this document may face expulsion. They have also committed to maintaining a "clear distance" from individuals associated with organized crime.
The Left won the elections on September 20, obtaining 25.7% of the votes and surpassing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had been leading the government of the city-state until then.
The eventual signing of a coalition agreement with the Greens and the SPD would pave the way for their candidate, Elif Eralp, to become the first mayor of Berlin belonging to The Left. However, the accusations of alleged antisemitism against this party -- which has criticized Israel's policies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip -- have complicated dialogue between the parties.
The controversy increased after, at a party held on election night in the Berlin neighborhood of Neukölln, the leader of an Arab-origin clan -- supposedly linked to organized crime -- was seen alongside a pro-Palestinian activist suspected of having ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), an organization considered terrorist by the European Union.