The Berlin Left Party has sparked political tensions by admitting controversial MP Vanessa Emde into its parliamentary group, leading to a suspension of coalition talks with the Greens and SPD.

On Tuesday evening, the Berlin Left Party announced the inclusion of Vanessa Emde, a controversial MP from Neukölln, into its parliamentary group following a three-hour internal meeting. Emde, known for her radical views and past questioning of the existence of states, signed a declaration affirming the party’s resolutions on antisemitism, the safety of Jewish and Palestinian communities, and Israel’s right to exist. This decision came despite prior calls from the Greens and SPD to exclude Emde from the group.

The decision immediately drew reactions from coalition partners. The Greens and SPD issued a joint statement expressing their disapproval, interpreting the move as a deviation from prior agreements made during preliminary coalition discussions. They announced a suspension of further negotiations to reassess whether the Left Party remains committed to the terms established last week. The statement emphasized the need for clarity from the Left Party regarding its adherence to these agreements.

Internal tensions within the Left Party reportedly influenced the decision. Frustration arose among MPs over media reports discussing Emde’s potential exclusion before they had reviewed the preliminary coalition document. Additionally, leaked party chats revealed opposition from Martha Kleedörfer, the deputy state chairperson, who publicly criticized SPD leader Steffen Krach’s perceived interference. Kleedörfer’s stance, shared via Instagram, further complicated efforts to exclude Emde, leading party leaders Elif Eralp and Tobias Schulze to avoid proposing her exclusion during the meeting.