From Dw · · 2m
Germany's Left Party sues over antisemitism claims
Left Party files defamation lawsuit after Interior Minister calls candidate antisemitic.
In brief
Left Party files defamation lawsuit after Interior Minister calls candidate antisemitic. Germany's Left Party sued Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt for falsely accusing their Berlin candidate Elif Eralp of antisemitism after a TV slip. Originally reported by Dw.
Left Party sues Interior Minister
The Left Party filed a defamation lawsuit against Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt after he called their Berlin candidate Elif Eralp an antisemite on a TV show.
“Elif Eralp says she is an antisemite… She is not an antisemite.”
TV slip leads to lawsuit
On a political TV talk show after the Berlin election, host Maybrit Illner accidentally called Elif Eralp an antisemite before correcting herself.
“Na doch (or, well, yes she is).”
Dobrindt's remark sparks legal action
Dobrindt's response of 'Na doch' led the Left Party to claim defamation, arguing it falsely suggested Eralp considered herself antisemitic.
“Na doch (or, well, yes she is).”
Lawsuit claims defamation
The lawsuit states Dobrindt's remark undermined Eralp's integrity as a political officeholder and hindered her attempts to form a Berlin government.
“undermine her integrity as a political officeholder”
Left Party faces antisemitism accusations
The Left Party has been accused of antisemitism by center-right parties, especially after a Berlin election campaign incident where a rapper chanted 'Death to the IDF'.
“Death to the IDF”
Economy Minister's speech sparks backlash
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche angered the Left Party by stating the party was 'openly embracing antisemitism' in a speech posted on the Economy Ministry's Instagram.
“openly embracing antisemitism”
Lawsuits as political weapon
German politicians increasingly use criminal code sections 185, 186, and 187 to file defamation lawsuits, which can result in fines or up to a year in prison.
“sections 185, 186 and 187 of the German Criminal Code”
Legal challenges to lawsuits
Legal experts say such lawsuits rarely succeed due to lack of sufficient grounds, with the Constitutional Court holding political criticism has wider boundaries than private conduct.
“lack of sufficient grounds for suspicion”
Lawsuits as PR strategy
Politicians use lawsuits as a guaranteed headline PR tactic, even if legal outcomes are unlikely, to signal political strength.
“highly effective as a PR strategy”
Consequences for Economy Minister
The lawsuit against Katherina Reiche may have limited consequences as her speech was posted on the ministry's official channels, violating constitutional neutrality rules.
“constitutional neutrality rules”
The main idea
Germany's Left Party sued Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt for falsely accusing their Berlin candidate Elif Eralp of antisemitism after a TV slip.
