Overview
- Neukölln’s Left branch formally chose Ahmed Abed as its Bezirksbürgermeister candidate with 82.1% support at a members’ meeting.
- CDU, SPD and Greens denounced the pick as antisemitic, with CDU district chair Falko Liecke calling it an attack on Jewish life and urging SPD and Greens to reject cooperation with the Left.
- SPD leaders in Neukölln tied the move to the local Left’s refusal to support a solidarity motion for the repeatedly attacked Bajszel pub, which is known for opposing antisemitism.
- Berlin’s Left leadership backed Abed, citing his years of social-policy work and noting reports of family losses in Gaza; lead candidate Elif Eralp urged a campaign centered on rents, cleanliness and cohesion.
- Critics highlight Abed’s October accusation of genocide against Bat Yam’s mayor and his legal representation of the BDS movement, with parties warning the dispute could narrow coalition options before September’s elections.