Berlin SPD wants coalition talks with Die Linke and Greens
The party wants to negotiate despite internal concerns over antisemitism and governing experience.
Follow-up to: Berlin coalition plans face fresh doubts Sunday, 18 October 2026, 20:40
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Berlin’s SPD said on Monday that it wanted to begin coalition talks with Die Linke and the Greens. This brings a red-green-red city government a step closer, although support within the SPD remains divided.
According to Tagesschau, weeks of exploratory talks between the three parties preceded the desire to negotiate. Tagesschau reported that the talks had been sufficiently successful in substance to propose negotiations, but questions remained about the political direction of parts of Die Linke in Berlin.
The handling of antisemitism and contacts with the so-called clan milieu are particularly tense issues. SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch said he still had considerable doubts about the governing suitability of parts of Berlin’s Die Linke. The statement illustrates the doubts within the SPD about possible cooperation.
The three parties have previously reached agreements on dealing with antisemitic statements and possible links to criminal networks. Tagesschau reports that there is resistance within Die Linke to some parts of these agreements. The party fears that criticism of Israel will too quickly be labelled antisemitic and that party members will be politically restricted.
The proposed coalition would have a majority in Berlin’s parliament. However, the parties also differ over housing policy, climate measures and the future of large property companies. Earlier talks included, among other things, the idea of expropriating or bringing under public ownership, subject to conditions, companies with more than ten thousand homes.
The desire to negotiate does not yet mean that a coalition agreement will be reached. The SPD’s decision is therefore not yet a government agreement. For the Netherlands, the development is primarily relevant as an example of the broader European debate about cooperation with the radical left and the limits of political tolerance.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The SPD, Die Linke and the Greens want to begin coalition negotiations.
- There are agreements on antisemitism and possible links to criminal networks.
- The proposed coalition has a majority in Berlin’s parliament.
Left
Arguments Cooperation with Die Linke and the Greens would make more social housing policy and greater public control over property possible.
Values Affordability, social equality and democratic control of the housing market.
Consequences Without this coalition, housing policy would, from this perspective, remain too dependent on large landlords.
Centre
Arguments Negotiations are responsible as long as the parties set clear conditions on governance, combating antisemitism and financial feasibility.
Values Institutional reliability, governability and compromise.
Consequences A carefully crafted agreement could bring stability, but an overly vague agreement could lead to new crises later.
Right
Arguments The SPD and Greens should not govern with a party parts of which, according to critics, do not distance themselves sufficiently from extremism.
Values Public order, national security and clear boundaries against antisemitism.
Consequences From this perspective, cooperation could weaken confidence in the established parties and security policy.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The core facts have been confirmed by Tagesschau. Interpretations about the coalition’s eventual stability have been presented as uncertain.
- confirmed Berlin’s SPD wants to hold coalition talks with Die Linke and the Greens. — Reported by Tagesschau on 19 October 2026. source
- confirmed There are concerns within the SPD about antisemitism and governing experience within Die Linke. — Statement by SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch, quoted by Tagesschau. source
- confirmed The proposed coalition has a parliamentary majority. — Tagesschau cites 91 of the 159 seats. source
Editor's note
The SPD has reported approval for coalition talks; there is no final agreement. The substantive conflicts over antisemitism, housing policy and governing experience have been confirmed, but their political consequences remain uncertain.Sources
- Kritik an Rot-Grün-Rot in Berlin — Tagesschau
- Linke, Grüne und SPD verkünden Durchbruch bei Sondierungen in Berlin — Tagesschau
The story so far
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 18:00 Berlin parties reach agreement on coalition talks and housing
- Sunday, 18 October 2026, 20:40 Berlin coalition plans face fresh doubts
- Monday, 19 October 2026, 17:43 Berlin parties seek to take on large property owners
- Monday, 19 October 2026, 19:14 Berlin SPD wants coalition talks with Die Linke and Greens (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
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