Berlin Left MP Emde brings controversial companion to faction meeting; no expulsion procedure initiated

Attended Tuesday's meeting of the Left parliamentary group: MP Vanessa Emde, who denies Israel's right to exist. Photo: Annette Riedl/dpa

By Stefan Alberti

"I'm Ms. Emde's companion," the woman, estimated to be around 30, introduces herself at the security checkpoint of the Berlin House of Representatives. The woman who then climbs the stairs with the controversial Left Party MP Vanessa Emde to the third floor and into parliamentary group meeting room 311 is Hannah Bruns. A party expulsion procedure is currently underway against her.

Bruns is a central voice in the state working group (LAG) Palestine Solidarity within the Left Party and has been accused of Israel-related antisemitism. That Emde — whose expulsion from the Left parliamentary group the SPD is making a condition of coalition talks — brought Bruns along to the parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday afternoon is regarded as a provocation. Or rather: as yet another provocation.

Only at the weekend, Emde had demonstrated against her own party at the Left Party's state party conference. There she was found outside the conference hall among a group of several dozen demonstrators whose motto was: "Elected for Palestine. Betrayed for the Senate." At the rally, Emde demanded socialization and Palestine solidarity, ending her speech with the words: "Yalla, yalla, class struggle! Freedom for Palestine!"

On Tuesday afternoon, parliamentary group staff considered it possible that Emde might have hired Bruns as an employee. This could not be confirmed by press time: Bruns did not respond to media inquiries, and Emde had already declined to answer taz questions at the parliament entrance.

Expulsion Requires a Two-Thirds Majority

Before the meeting began, parliamentary group spokesperson Thomas Barthel was not aware that the executive board around Elif Eralp and Tobias Schulze would announce an expulsion motion against Emde at the meeting. According to the parliamentary group's rules of procedure, this must happen at least one week before discussion and voting on the motion.

Without a motion, Emde could not be expelled at next Tuesday's meeting and would therefore still be a member of the Left parliamentary group at the next plenary session of the House of Representatives on 12 November. It also remains open whether the two-thirds majority needed to expel Emde can be achieved.

That would raise the question of how long the SPD, as a potential coalition partner — talks on an alliance began on Monday — would tolerate this situation. State chair and parliamentary group leader Steffen Krach said last week on the talk show "Markus Lanz" regarding the scenario of Emde remaining in a coalition: "Then we will not have a coalition."

Shortly before 3 p.m., after a good three-quarters of an hour, staff and guests had to leave meeting room 311. The parliamentary group then wanted to discuss "personnel matters," it was said.

After the meeting ended, there were no official statements. According to reports, no expulsion procedure against Emde was initiated — apparently the party, rather than the parliamentary group, is now expected to act first. How things will proceed is therefore unclear — what is clear is that, for now, Emde remains part of the parliamentary group.