- The Left party wins the Berlin state election with 25.7% of the vote, the highest.
- Elif Eralp, the party's Berlin leader, is of Turkish descent and is likely to become the city's first mayor with an immigrant background.
- The party's win has brought relief to pro-migrant residents at a time when the far-right AfD party continues to gain support in eastern states, as well as to young people below 30, who represented the bulk of the Left's voter base.
- Eralp campaigned to end high rent prices and chronic housing shortages in the city, with plans including issuing rent caps and expropriating homes from big corporate landlords.
- She has also promised to clean up dirty neighbourhoods, prioritise social spending on vulnerable groups such as the homeless, and fight for non-citizens’ rights to vote in local elections.
- Her party won 25.7 percent of the state’s vote – the highest – and a poll showed Eralp’s own ratings at 36 percent, the highest among candidates for the mayor’s post.
- Nearly half of Berlin’s 3.6 million residents have an immigration background, with the largest group being from the Turkish community.
The Left party's victory in Berlin's state election marks a significant shift in the political landscape, with Elif Eralp, of Turkish descent, likely to become the city's first mayor from an immigrant background.12
The Left secured 25.7% of the vote, reflecting strong support among pro-migrant residents and young voters seeking affordable housing.
Eralp, who has been compared to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, campaigned on issues such as ending high rent prices and addressing chronic housing shortages in the city.45
Her party's platform includes issuing rent caps and expropriating homes from large corporate landlords, a commitment she proudly displays with a necklace inscribed with the phrase.
Eralp has also pledged to clean up dirty neighborhoods, prioritize social spending for vulnerable groups like the homeless, and advocate for non-citizens' rights to vote in local elections.
With nearly half of Berlin's 3.6 million residents having an immigration background, the Turkish community plays a significant role in the city's demographic makeup, having contributed to its rebuilding after World War II.8
The Left's win comes at a time when the far-right AfD party is gaining traction in eastern states, making this victory particularly poignant for pro-migrant advocates.
“Eralp, likened to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, campaigned on rent caps and expropriating homes from corporate landlords. Her party won 25.7% of the vote, and a ZDF poll showed her approval at 36%, the highest among mayoral candidates.”
