Left, Greens and SPD open coalition talks under antisemitism debate

The Berlin Left party, the Greens and the SPD held preliminary exploratory meetings on October 1, 2026 to probe a possible left-of-centre coalition in the capital, Tagesspiegel reported in a live blog. The talks are overshadowed by a sharp debate about antisemitism within parts of the Left and the pro-Palestinian scene, especially after the recent election campaign. Jewish members of the SPD and the Greens had made it clear that any coalition contract must include unambiguous commitments against antisemitism, strong support for Jewish institutions in Berlin and a clear distancing from BDS-style boycotts. Left negotiators defended their record and pointed to internal resolutions, while promising a stricter line going forward. The three parties stressed that an agreement is still far from certain and that major policy differences remain on housing, security and transport. The CDU, which came first in the recent election, is simultaneously exploring options with the SPD, so Berlin's political future remains open.