Berlin’s center-left SPD and Green parties suspended coalition talks with the Left Party on Tuesday after its parliamentary faction admitted Vanessa Emde, a lawmaker criticized for her positions on Israel, according to multiple German outlets.
The decision came after the Left Party’s faction in the Berlin state parliament held its constituent meeting and included Emde, despite prior concerns about her anti-Israel stance. SPD and Green leaders said the move contradicted a recent agreement with the Left Party that designated Israel’s right to exist as “non-negotiable” and stipulated sanctions, including possible expulsions, for violations. Green Party leader Bettina Brantner stated that the Left Party had “not adhered to the agreement,” adding that talks could not resume until the party clarified its actions .
A planned negotiation round scheduled for Wednesday morning was canceled. Both parties emphasized that the suspension would remain in place until the Left Party addressed the breach of trust .
The Left Party had won Berlin’s state election on Sept. 20 and entered exploratory talks with the SPD and Greens last week, following a joint declaration on combating antisemitism and clan contacts .
