Overview

• The Berlin Linke state board voted unanimously to put the 44-year-old jurist forward to lead the 2026 Abgeordnetenhaus campaign.
• Eralp, a deputy caucus leader and spokesperson on migration, participation and anti-discrimination, has prioritized housing affordability and curbing the sway of major landlords.
• The state election is scheduled for September 20, 2026, when she would likely face incumbent CDU mayor Kai Wegner.
• Party leaders point to momentum from February’s federal vote in Berlin, where Die Linke finished first with about 20 percent, and to membership growth to roughly 16,700.
• Rival lineups are taking shape with SPD preparing Steffen Krach, the Greens backing Werner Graf, and the AfD expected to run Kristin Brinker.