Can a candidate who fears for her family still lead Berlin?

In Berlin, Spiegel reports Elif Eralp, the Left's top candidate, wrote an internal note while approving an interview. It said she feared people linked to activist Ibrahim Ibrahim, whom Spiegel calls a Hamas sympathiser. The note reached Spiegel by mistake, and Ibrahim had attended a Left election night in Neukölln.

Eralp declined to address the report. She said: I will not let myself be intimidated by anyone.

Kai Wegner, Berlin's outgoing CDU governing mayor, called for problems to be named clearly. Responsibility also means not being afraid to name problems and truths clearly.

Berlin Greens chair Philmon Ghirmai expressed solidarity with Eralp. It is unacceptable that a leading politician has to fear for her safety. Coalition talks among the Left, Greens and SPD remain ongoing.