Berlin Coalition Talks Halt Over Antisemitism Rift

Berlin’s Social Democrats and Greens suspended exploratory coalition talks with the Left Party, putting a proposed three-party state government in doubt. The dispute centers on whether the Left will honor agreed safeguards against antisemitism, including use of the IHRA definition and a process for reviewing allegations against lawmakers. The parties said they were concerned after the Left admitted Vanessa Emde to its parliamentary group and adopted an internal statement that differed from the coalition partners’ agreement; Emde’s position on Israel has drawn scrutiny. The Left’s leadership said its elected representatives had committed to fighting antisemitism and expressed hope that negotiations could resume.