German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Jewish life in Germany "is no longer safe" following recent municipal elections. The elections saw the success of the left-wing socialist Left Party in Berlin, which coincides with the rising power of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in several state elections. Merz's warning reflects concerns voiced by some Jews in Berlin, who are alarmed by the outcome of the elections.
The Left Party received 25.7% of the votes in Berlin's municipal elections, more than Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which garnered 18.8%, followed by the AfD with 16.3%, the Greens with 14.3%, and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with 12.1%. Berlin Jewish Community president Gideon Joffe said that leaving the Left in charge of the country's capital would be "like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse". The party "bears a special responsibility for the consequences" of tolerating Islamic extremism, left-wing antisemitism, and organised criminal activity.
The Left Party's platform, adopted in 2024, takes an egalitarian approach, supporting Israel's right to exist alongside a future Palestinian state and disavowing antisemitism. However, some affiliates on the extreme left hold antizionist stances, and the party has been criticised by Jewish leaders and mainstream parties for not forcefully distancing itself from those elements. In 2010, prominent Left Party members took part in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which the Israeli military intercepted in an operation that killed 10 activists.
Josef Schuster, chair of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, expressed concern over the party's stance, stating that "calls were made for intifada and the death of Israeli soldiers, and the audience sang and danced along". Schuster added that the party had "lost all credibility" by failing to combat "Jew hatred" within. Berlin resident Anetta Kahane sees parallels between the extreme parties on the left and the right, stating that "both are very deeply antisemitic".
Kahane, who grew up in the former East Germany, said that she hears the same slogans about Israel and the Jews that she heard during the GDR. She added that people are saying that democracy is not working and that a good dictator is needed. Despite their rising popularity, neither the Left nor the AfD is likely to be part of the newly elected state governments, as mainstream parties are forming coalitions to block them out.
In Berlin, most Jewish voters find themselves eschewing both extremes. However, not all Jews are upset at the results. Donna Swarthout, a 67-year-old Berlin resident, voted for the Greens and is hopeful that there will be a coalition with the SPD and the Greens, which will lead to a more promising future for Berlin. She was drawn to the Left Party's mayoral candidate Elif Eralp because of her emphasis on social justice issues.
Swarthout, who grew up in the US and obtained German citizenship 14 years ago, says it's essential for Jews in Germany "to work in coalition with other minority groups". She hopes that Eralp can help shift the dialogue towards a broader, more positive, future-oriented discussion. The outcome of the elections has raised concerns about the safety of Jewish life in Germany, with Merz's warning highlighting the need for a more cohesive and inclusive approach to addressing antisemitism.
Key points
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns Jewish life in Germany "is no longer safe" after municipal elections.
- The Left Party's success in Berlin's municipal elections has raised concerns among Jewish leaders due to its stance on Israel and antisemitism.
- Mainstream parties are forming coalitions to block the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Left Party from being part of newly elected state governments.
