Berlin, the capital of Germany, is on the brink of one of the most competitive state elections in its history; an election where the Christian Democratic Union, Left Party, Alternative for Germany, and the Greens are in a very close contest according to polls.
Elif Eralp, Frontrunner in the Election Race
According to polls, Elif Eralp, the Left Party candidate, is the frontrunner in the election race and has become the most serious contender for the mayoral position in Berlin. In the latest poll by ZDF, the Left Party remains at the top with 22% of the votes, while the Christian Democratic Union, led by Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, stands in second place with 20%. The far-right Alternative for Germany, which has doubled its share of votes compared to the last election, is in third place with 18%. The Greens are in fourth place with 15%, and the Social Democratic Party, which is currently in a governing coalition with the Christian Democratic Union, has 12%.
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While support for the leftist populist party “Alliance Zara Wagenknecht” is estimated at around 4%, it is still unclear whether this party will be able to surpass the 5% threshold required to enter the state parliament. A poll released on Thursday showed that 23% of voters have not yet made their final decision.
Consequences of the Berlin Election
Although the Berlin election is a state election, its results could impact the political future of Friedrich Merz, who is both the Chancellor and the leader of the Christian Democratic Union. The heavy defeat of the Christian Democratic Union against the Alternative for Germany in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6 has shaken Merz's position as Chancellor.
Loss of power in Berlin, a city that the Christian Democratic Union has governed for years, will increase pressures for Merz's resignation. If Elif Eralp is elected to this position, it will mark the first time in Berlin's history that a politician with an immigrant background leads the government of this city. Such a victory would also be a significant milestone for the Left Party.
The Left Party is considered a populist and socialist party rooted in the legacy of East Germany. As centrist left and right parties in Germany face declining voter support, the significant increase in support for Elif Eralp, the immigrant-background candidate of the Left Party, has drawn considerable attention.
Elif Eralp, 45, is known not only for her life story but also for her activities and struggles in the field of human rights. She states that during the election campaign, she has engaged in door-to-door conversations with voters, even with those who vote for the Alternative for Germany. Eralp believes that the Left Party can offer solutions to the economic and social problems that people face.
She also criticizes the Alternative for Germany, stating: “This party distorts the facts, blaming immigrants for economic problems, but has never provided real solutions to these issues.”
According to her, the rise of the Left Party in Berlin could reverse the increasing support for far-right movements.
Elif Eralp, who is married and a mother of two, is the daughter of a socialist family that fled Turkey after the 1980 coup and sought asylum in Germany. She says that the lives of my parents and what we have experienced have profoundly influenced my identity, choice of law, and entry into politics.
Her fight against skyrocketing rents and the promise of nationalizing large real estate companies have drawn comparisons to Zharan Mamdani, the socialist and immigrant mayor of New York. Eralp has led her campaign with the slogan “I will make Berlin a livable city for all,” directly visiting homes and engaging in face-to-face contact with voters.
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