Berlin Left Party politician Elif Eralp and the party’s state branch filed a criminal complaint against German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, their lawyer Jasper Prigge told the German Press Agency. The complaint concerns an exchange on ZDF’s “Maybrit Illner” last Thursday.
During a discussion between Dobrindt and Heidi Reichinnek, co-chair of the Left Party’s parliamentary group, host Maybrit Illner misspoke: “Elif Eralp says she is an antisemite,” then immediately corrected herself: “She is not an antisemite.” Dobrindt replied, “Well, yes.” Prigge argues that Dobrindt adopted the presenter’s slip and thereby repeated a false factual claim.
The lawyer says the remark may constitute defamation and insult and could seriously harm Eralp’s public work and political standing. Those are allegations in the complaint; its filing does not establish that a court has found wrongdoing.
Eralp and the Left Party emerged as the strongest force in Berlin’s Sept. 20 state election, winning 25.7% of the vote. Eralp is seeking to become governing mayor in a coalition with the Social Democrats and Greens. The party faces antisemitism accusations, including over a pro-Palestinian rapper’s call at a party event for violence against the Israeli army. Last week, Dobrindt said the Berlin Left Party “obviously tolerates antisemites and extremists” in its circle.
Eralp has distanced herself from antisemitism and calls for violence both before and after the election, and has affirmed Israel’s right to exist.