On 2026-10-14 the Linke, Grüne and SPD announced that their coalition formation talks in Berlin were continuing after a short interruption. The three parties, which have been probing the possibility of a joint government, said they had cleared up misunderstandings and were ready to discuss the central challenges facing the city.
A core element of the negotiations has been a joint declaration on how to combat antisemitism. The parties have repeatedly said they intend to include this statement in any coalition agreement that might emerge from the talks. The declaration is not a side note; the leadership of each party has stressed that it will be a binding part of a possible governing contract, to be ratified only after the parties’ internal conferences give their final approval.
The same day that the parties said talks were continuing, the chronology also recorded an interruption of the negotiations. According to the record, the talks were paused on 2026-10-14 because of disagreements over the content of the antisemitism statement. One of the leaders, Steffen Krach, explained that the decision to halt the talks came as a surprise when another version of the agreement was presented unexpectedly. The pause was described as temporary, with the expectation that discussions would resume soon after the parties clarified their positions.
Following the pause, the parties said they had held a good and open conversation.
Following the pause, the parties said they had held a good and open conversation. Elif Eralp noted that the meeting had allowed them to agree that the misunderstandings between them were now resolved. She emphasized that the talks would continue tomorrow with the Greens and the SPD to address the city’s central challenges. This clarification was accompanied by a renewed pledge that the joint antisemitism statement would remain part of the coalition framework, not only for the immediate talks but also for any future agreement.
With the misunderstandings out of the way, the parties outlined their immediate agenda. They said they would meet again to discuss the challenges facing Berlin. Importantly, the parties made clear that any decision about how to proceed would be taken at their respective party congresses, where the final word on the coalition agreement would rest.
Throughout the briefing, the parties repeated that the ultimate determination of whether the Berlin agreement becomes part of a governing contract lies with their internal party conferences. The leadership of all three parties said they stand behind the Berlin understanding, but the formal inclusion of the antisemitism statement in a coalition treaty will only happen after the congresses have deliberated and voted. The parties said the final decision will be made at their party congresses.
The leaders offered direct comments that illuminate the mood of the talks. Steffen Krach said, "We decided yesterday evening together with the Greens to first interrupt the negotiations, because it came as quite a surprise to us that another agreement was presented." Elif Eralp added, "Starting tomorrow we will continue meeting with the Greens and SPD to discuss the central challenges of our wonderful city." She also noted, "Today we met with the Greens and SPD and had a good and open conversation. We have agreed that the misunderstandings between us are cleared up." Krach later stressed, "The leadership of all three parties stands behind the Berlin agreement. The agreement will be part of a possible coalition treaty, which the parties will ultimately decide on," and reiterated, "We have again agreed that this agreement applies, not only today but also in the future, and that it will also become part of the coalition treaty."
As of the latest update, the Linke, Grüne and SPD are poised to resume their negotiations, with the antisemitism statement firmly placed on the agenda as a condition for any future coalition. The parties have expressed confidence that the misunderstandings that caused the pause have been resolved, and they intend to bring the discussion back to the city’s pressing issues. The final shape of any agreement will await the outcome of the party congresses, but the commitment to embed the antisemitism statement remains a steady point in the ongoing dialogue.