Elif Eralp, a 45-year-old lawyer and daughter of Turkish political migrants, is poised to become Berlin’s next mayor, marking a significant milestone in German politics as the capital’s first leader of Turkish origin. Her left-wing party, Die Linke, emerged as the frontrunner in the recent city-state election, securing about 26% of the vote and outperforming long-established parties such as the centre-left Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the conservative party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Eralp’s rise has been characterized by a dynamic campaign that energized younger voters—47% of whom supported her—and re-engaged thousands of non-voters through door-to-door outreach and social media efforts. Her platform focused heavily on addressing the affordability crisis in Berlin’s housing market. Once labeled “poor but sexy” for its low rent, the city has seen housing costs surge in recent years. Eralp pledged to curtail the power of real estate speculators, proposing the controversial expropriation of over 200,000 flats from corporate landlords to make the city more affordable. Merz and other critics have warned that such policies could have severe economic consequences and have vowed to pursue legal measures to block them, a challenge Eralp has vowed to confront.

Despite the electoral success, Eralp’s victory has not been without controversy. Die Linke faces accusations of failing to properly address antisemitism within the party and of tolerating support from criminal groups. These allegations have raised concerns among potential coalition partners such as the Social Democrats and the Greens, who have called for urgent clarification before committing to any alliance. Die Linke’s leadership has denied these claims and affirmed commitment to combating antisemitism. Notably, the party announced the suspension of one of its Berlin parliamentarians, who is alleged to be linked to criminal gangs and a pro-Hamas organization, pending further investigation.

Eralp responded to criticism by affirming a clear stance against any form of violence or terror, emphasizing her commitment to protecting all Berlin residents regardless of their religious background. She stressed inclusivity, stating she aims to be “a mayor for all Berliners.”

Born in Munich in 1981 to parents who fled political persecution in Turkey after a military coup, Eralp’s background has deeply influenced her political outlook. Her parents, Hülya, a feminist, and Selçuk, a doctor, were imprisoned for their activism before seeking asylum in Germany. Eralp has spoken about experiencing racism and discrimination firsthand and how these experiences shaped her worldview. She lives with her husband and two children in Kreuzberg, one of Berlin’s most diverse neighborhoods, where her children attend a local state school. Throughout her campaign, she has emphasized her ordinary life while keeping her family out of public view for privacy and safety.

Eralp’s ascent has drawn comparisons to other progressive politicians abroad, including New York City’s mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose campaign advisors assisted her strategy. Modeled in part after Bernie Sanders’s approach, her campaign has brought renewed attention to left-wing politics in Berlin, signaling potential shifts in the city’s political landscape as coalition talks continue.