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Berlin – Steffen Krach, the chairman of the Berlin SPD, has publicly addressed recent speculation regarding a disagreement with federal party leader Lars Klingbeil. Despite concerns over potential coalition talks with the Berlin Left party (Die Linke), Krach maintained that there is no fundamental rift between him and the federal leadership regarding the party’s stance on antisemitism.
United Stance Against Antisemitism
The discussion follows comments made by Lars Klingbeil, who warned against forming a government coalition with individuals or groups harboring antisemitic views. Responding to these concerns, Krach told the television broadcaster Welt, "We are of the same opinion. We do not want to work with antisemites, and we will not work with antisemites." Krach added that this position is clear and aligns with the views of the federal party chair.
Krach further noted that the leadership of the Berlin Left party shares this firm stance. He pointed to a recent resolution by the Left party’s parliamentary group executive, which declared that there is no longer a basis for cooperation with Vanessa Emde, a Left party member and activist whose involvement has drawn significant internal criticism.
Addressing Internal Party Dynamics
While Krach expressed frustration that the situation regarding Emde has persisted, he emphasized that he remains in regular contact with Klingbeil. He stated, "I am also annoyed that this is dragging on so long, and I would like to talk about other topics for this city." Krach reiterated that he could not recommend his party enter a coalition as long as Emde remains a member of the Left party’s parliamentary faction.
Regarding internal party debates within the Berlin SPD, Krach addressed the opposition voiced by Economic Senator and former Mayor Franziska Giffey against the current coalition model. He characterized the disagreement as a "normal dispute" within a large political party comprising 18,000 members. Krach praised Giffey’s performance as Economic Senator and expressed confidence that she would continue her work effectively, assuring the business community that there is no cause for concern.
Future Outlook
Krach expressed optimism that the Left party will take necessary consequences regarding the situation as quickly as possible. He emphasized his responsibility to focus on the city’s progress, stating that he does not want political decisions to be held hostage by a single individual. The debate over whether to continue the current coalition remains an ongoing process that will be managed within the party over the coming months.
Source: dts Nachrichtenagentur
