Berlin Left Wins Historic Election

Berlin’s Left party achieved an unprecedented win, positioning Elif Eralp as the city’s first mayor with an immigrant background. The victory brings hope for migrant communities amid growing far‑right influence. Eralp’s agenda focuses on rent caps, housing expropriation, and social spending, but co…

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:44:21 GMT

Berlin’s municipal election on Sunday produced a historic outcome: The Left (Die Linke) secured the largest share of the vote, setting the stage for Elif Eralp, a Turkish‑German politician, to become the city’s first mayor from an immigrant background.

Election Result and Immediate Reactions

The Left captured 25.7 % of Berlin’s 3.6 million votes, the highest share among all parties. The far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) also gained ground, winning 16 % and placing third. Eralp’s personal approval rating reached 36 % in a ZDF poll, the highest among mayoral candidates. The result was celebrated across the city, especially in immigrant‑dense districts such as Neukölln and Wedding, where young voters and residents of Turkish and Arab descent expressed renewed optimism.

“It was my first time voting,” said 18‑year‑old student Sumeja Skeva. “I want them to tax the rich and provide more opportunities for everyone.” Her sentiment echoed a broader desire for policies that address housing, rent, and social inequality.

Eralp’s Platform and Community Support

Eralp has campaigned on a platform that includes rent caps, the expropriation of large‑scale corporate landlords, and increased social spending for vulnerable groups such as the homeless. She also pledged to secure voting rights for non‑citizens in local elections. Her proposals are aimed at tackling Berlin’s chronic housing shortage and high living costs.

Local business owner Ana Pareja, who runs a Spanish‑literature bookstore in Neukölln, organized voting workshops for European nationals and encouraged participation in Eralp’s campaign. “We will have a woman who has an immigrant background and who is like us,” Pareja said. “Every proposal Elif Eralp has is important, from rent to rubbish to the untouchable subject.”

Challenges Ahead: Coalition Negotiations

Despite the electoral victory, The Left does not hold a parliamentary majority. Eralp will need to form a coalition, most likely with the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Both parties have expressed reservations about the Left’s housing expropriation plans, potentially forcing compromises or prolonged negotiations that could take weeks or months.

Security worker Michael Akan, a Left voter from Wedding, voiced optimism about Eralp’s promises but also expressed concerns about how anti‑poverty policies might translate into tangible relief for everyday costs such as gas and rent. “High rent prices are a problem for me, and gas prices too,” he said.

Broader Political Context and Far‑Right Gains

Berlin’s victory comes amid a national trend of rising AfD support, particularly in eastern states. The AfD also won state elections in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, marking its second state‑level win in two weeks. The party’s anti‑migration stance contrasts sharply with the Left’s pro‑migrant agenda.

Berlin’s demographic makeup—nearly half of its residents have an immigration background, with large Turkish and Arab communities—makes the city a focal point for debates on integration, housing, and social policy. The Left’s success is seen as a counterbalance to the far‑right’s growing influence.

Controversies and Social Issues

Eralp’s campaign faced criticism for not taking a stronger stance against Israel’s war in Gaza or for addressing anti‑Semitism more explicitly. The German government’s strict pro‑Israel position has led to crackdowns on pro‑Palestinian voices, including the removal of three pro‑Palestinian bookshops from a national award list for “left‑wing extremism.” Eralp has reiterated her support for Palestinian, Jewish, and other vulnerable communities, hoping to protect pro‑Palestinian voices at the state level.

Looking Forward

As Berliners celebrate a symbolic victory against far‑right fears, the practical work of forming a governing coalition remains ahead. Eralp’s leadership could reshape Berlin’s housing policy, social services, and integration strategies, but the path to implementation will require negotiation and compromise. The city’s future will hinge on how effectively these plans are translated into policy and how the coalition manages the divergent priorities of its constituent parties.

Key facts

The Left won 25.7% of Berlin’s vote, the highest share.
Elif Eralp, of Turkish descent, is poised to become Berlin’s first mayor of immigrant background.
Her platform focuses on rent caps, housing expropriation, and social spending for vulnerable groups.
Eralp must form a coalition, likely with SPD and CDU, facing potential compromises.
The AfD gained 16% in Berlin and won state elections in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern.
Eralp’s campaign faced criticism over her stance on Israel and anti‑Semitism.

Why it matters

Berlin’s election marks a turning point for immigrant representation and social policy in Germany’s capital, challenging the rise of far‑right politics and offering a new direction for housing and integration reforms.