Overview
- Elif Eralp was confirmed by acclamation as the Berlin Linke’s lead candidate, pledging stricter rent measures and affirming protection of Jewish life while calling the Hamas attack of October 7 a watershed.
- The Berlin Linke adopted a compromise on Gaza that acknowledges Palestinian suffering and Jewish fears after sharper motions, including support for BDS, were withdrawn; a push to label Israel’s actions as genocide narrowly failed, underscoring ongoing internal strains.
- Steffen Krach won 100% backing as the SPD’s Spitzenkandidat, framing a bid to reclaim city hall with priorities on housing enforcement, family services, and criticism of CDU Mayor Kai Wegner’s leadership.
- Recent polls place the Linke in Berlin at roughly 17–19% behind the CDU at about 23–25%, with the SPD near 14–16%, situating the left-of-center parties as challengers in the 20 September 2026 vote.
- In Saxony-Anhalt, the Linke nominated Eva von Angern for the 6 September 2026 election, setting social priorities such as combating child poverty, with final list placements due in March.