Overview
- Negotiations between the SPD, the Greens and Die Linke were briefly paused and then resumed on Thursday after a dispute over Vanessa Emde stalled the sondierungen.
- Die Linke’s parliamentary group admitted Emde and she posted an Instagram video saying she stands by campaign remarks that denied an 'existence right' for states.
- Green federal chief Felix Banaszak publicly said Emde’s exclusion was a precondition for talks but Die Linke denies making that promise and reporting found no clear Berlin‑level source for Banaszak’s claim.
- Linke deputies signed their own anti‑Semitism declaration at the faction meeting that differs from the three‑party text, prompting objections from SPD and Greens about enforceability.
- The row has left coalition trust fragile, raises the stakes for who leads the left bloc in Berlin and makes clarity on factual claims and binding safeguards the key next test for talks.