Berlin Left candidate Elif Eralp’s past Rote Hilfe membership blocks coalition talks
Elif Eralp, the Left Party’s top candidate in Berlin, was a member of the left-extremist group Rote Hilfe until 2025. The group, classified by German intelligence as left-extremist, raised funds for former RAF terrorist Daniela Klette. Eralp’s membership has drawn criticism from politicians and commentators, with the CDU calling it a “K.O. criterion” for coalition talks. Eralp won the September 20 state election and is now in preliminary coalition negotiations with the Greens and SPD.
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Legal Expert Assesses Potential Ban of 'Rote Hilfe' and Risks of Politician's Lawsuits
According to a report by Die Welt, Felix W. Zimmermann, editor-in-chief of 'Legal Tribune Online', has provided an assessment of potential legal proceedings to ban the organization 'Rote Hilfe' (Red Aid). This follows reports of connections between politicians from the German Left Party (Die Linke) and the group. Zimmermann also evaluated the legal risks for Berlin's lead candidate Elif Eralp, who has filed cease-and-desist lawsuits against accusations of antisemitism made by members of the Union and SPD parties. He considers these lawsuits to be risky. The article, published on September 30, 2026, presents Zimmermann's expert opinion on the viability of a ban and the legal challenges faced by Eralp.
New Allegations Against Elif Eralp: The Red Aid Is More Important Than Ever
This commentary by Marie Frank, published on taz.de, defends Elif Eralp, the Left Party's top candidate in Berlin, against new allegations regarding her former membership in the Rote Hilfe (Red Aid), a left-wing legal support organization classified as 'left-extremist' by the German domestic intelligence service (Verfassungsschutz). The author argues that Eralp's membership is not scandalous but commendable, especially in times of a rightward political shift. Frank criticizes the Verfassungsschutz's assessment as biased and historically compromised, noting that the organization is not banned and membership should not disqualify someone from public office. The piece contrasts Eralp's past with that of former Chancellor Kurt Georg Kiesinger, a former NSDAP member, and calls for solidarity with leftist activists facing political persecution. The author regrets that Eralp left the organization a year ago in preemptive compliance.
Read sourceColumnist Jörges Calls Berlin Left Party Candidate Eralp a 'Classic Left-Wing Radical'
In a column for Die Welt, Hans-Ulrich Jörges sharply criticizes the Berlin branch of the Left Party (Die Linke) and its top candidate, Elif Eralp. Jörges argues that someone who has been a long-time member of the Rote Hilfe (Red Aid), an organization he associates with left-wing extremism, should not be placed in a position overseeing police and the domestic intelligence service (Verfassungsschutz). He describes the situation as 'grotesque.' The article, published on September 30, 2026, presents Jörges' opinion as a columnist, not as a news report, and does not include a response from Eralp or the Left Party.
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Welt TV Deputy Chief Criticizes Berlin SPD and Greens for Coalition Talks with Left Party
Dorothea Schupelius, deputy head of politics at WELT TV, has sharply criticized the Berlin branches of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens for entering preliminary coalition talks with the Left Party (Die Linke). In a video commentary published by Die Welt, Schupelius expressed astonishment at the decision, questioning how the SPD and Greens can justify such a move to their voter bases and their own consciences. The criticism references the Left Party's association with the 'Rote Hilfe' (Red Aid) organization, which has reportedly collected money for former members of the Red Army Faction (RAF), specifically Daniela Klette. The commentary highlights ongoing political tensions in Berlin as parties negotiate potential governing coalitions following recent elections.
Read sourceColumnist Jan Fleischhauer Calls Berlin Greens the 'Leftest, Most Unhinged' State Association
In a commentary for Die Welt, columnist Jan Fleischhauer criticizes the Berlin branch of the Green party, labeling it the 'leftest, most unhinged, and most scrubbed-clean' state association. He focuses on the past membership of Elif Eralp in the far-left group 'Rote Hilfe' (Red Help), arguing that this affiliation creates obstacles for potential governing coalitions. Fleischhauer questions how long the public will tolerate what he calls 'this madness in Berlin,' implying that the party's radical elements undermine its fitness to govern. The piece reflects a conservative critique of the Greens' left-wing faction in Berlin, using Eralp's case as a symbol of broader ideological extremism within the party.
Read sourceLawyer Seyran Ateş criticizes Berlin mayoral candidate Elif Eralp over past Red Help membership
In an article published by Die Welt on September 30, 2026, lawyer and human rights activist Seyran Ateş sharply criticized Berlin mayoral candidate Elif Eralp of the Left Party (Die Linke) for her former membership in the left-wing support organization 'Rote Hilfe' (Red Help). Ateş accused Eralp of hypocrisy, stating that dismissing the membership as a youthful indiscretion is disingenuous. The criticism centers on Eralp's political judgment and character, with Ateş questioning what kind of 'inner compass' the candidate possesses. The article highlights a political controversy in the Berlin mayoral race, focusing on Eralp's past affiliations as a point of attack from a prominent critic.
Read sourceBerlin Left Party Top Candidate Eralp Was Member of Group Supporting RAF Terrorists
An article from Die Welt reports that Berlin's Left Party (Die Linke) top candidate, Eralp, was a long-time member of the organization 'Rote Hilfe' (Red Aid). Extremism expert Hendrik Hansen is quoted describing the Rote Hilfe as 'an organization that specifically supports and promotes left-wing extremist crimes.' The article's headline references solidarity greetings for fugitive RAF (Red Army Faction) terrorists. The report links Eralp's membership in the group to allegations of supporting left-wing extremism, raising political controversy ahead of the Berlin state election.
Read sourceBerlin Left Party candidate Elif Eralp was member of group that raised funds for RAF terrorist
Die Welt reports that Elif Eralp, the lead candidate for the Left Party (Die Linke) in Berlin, was a member of the left-extremist organization Rote Hilfe (Red Aid) for several years until 2025. The organization, classified by German domestic intelligence as a left-extremist group, publicly called for donations in 2024 for Daniela Klette, a former RAF terrorist who was arrested in February 2024 and later sentenced to 13 years in prison for involvement in serious robberies. According to the Left Party's Berlin office, Eralp joined during her law studies and remained a passive member, leaving due to differing political views. Eralp won the Berlin state election on September 20, 2026, and is now entering coalition talks with the Greens and SPD. The article notes that Rote Hilfe has historically supported wanted RAF terrorists, including in 2016 when it expressed solidarity with Klette and two other fugitives.
Read sourceBerlin Mayoral Candidate Elif Eralp Was Member of Left-Wing Extremist Group Until 2025
Die Welt reports that Elif Eralp, the Berlin mayoral candidate for the Left Party (Die Linke), was a member of the organization Rote Hilfe (Red Aid) until 2025. The article, published on September 30, 2026, characterizes Rote Hilfe as the largest group in German left-wing extremism. Eralp's membership in the group, which provides legal and financial support to left-wing activists and prisoners, is presented as a key fact in the report. The source is a video article from Die Welt, a major German news outlet. The report does not include a direct comment from Eralp or her campaign, but attributes the characterization of Rote Hilfe to Die Welt itself.
Read sourceBerlin CDU politician says Linke politician's alleged Rote Hilfe membership blocks coalition talks
Burkard Dregger, the interior policy spokesperson for the CDU in Berlin, has strongly criticized potential coalition negotiations between his party and the Berlin branch of the Left Party (Die Linke). In an interview with Die Welt, Dregger stated that the alleged membership of Left Party politician Elif Eralp in the far-left organization Rote Hilfe (Red Aid) constitutes a 'K.O. criterion for forming a government.' He warned of a 'significant security policy problem' facing the city if such a coalition were pursued. The statement comes amid ongoing discussions about possible governing alliances in Berlin following recent elections. Dregger's comments highlight deep divisions between the CDU and the Left Party, particularly over security and extremism issues. The Rote Hilfe is a group that provides legal and financial support to individuals accused of politically motivated crimes, including left-wing extremists. Dregger's remarks suggest that the CDU would refuse to enter a coalition with the Left Party as long as Eralp, who is a prominent figure in the party, remains involved.
Read sourceBerlin Left candidate Elif Eralp was long-time member of left-extremist group Rote Hilfe
Elif Eralp, the lead candidate for the Left Party (Die Linke) in Berlin's 2026 state election, was a member of the Rote Hilfe (Red Aid) association until 2025, according to a report by Die Welt citing the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The German federal government classifies Rote Hilfe as 'the largest and one of the most important groups in German left-wing extremism,' primarily for providing legal and financial support to left-wing extremists convicted of crimes, thereby reducing the deterrent effect of criminal sanctions. Eralp's membership was listed in the Berlin House of Representatives handbooks for 2022 and 2023, alongside memberships in Verdi, Amnesty International, and the VVN-BdA. The 2025 edition omits the Rote Hilfe entry. The Left Party's Berlin office stated Eralp joined during her law studies to facilitate legal aid for activists, remained a 'passive member' for years, and left the group in 2025 due to 'partially different political views,' before her nomination as top candidate. The Berlin Left's election program explicitly defends Rote Hilfe as an 'antifascist' association under tax attack. The report also notes ongoing controversy within the Berlin Left over antisemitism and ties to pro-Palestinian activists and a clan figure, which Eralp has faced criticism for.