Key facts
- Private remarks by Berlin mayoral candidate Elif Eralp about people with connections to Hamas were accidentally published.
- Eralp expressed fear for her safety and family when asked about naming individuals linked to Hamas.
- The controversy could complicate coalition talks for Eralp's Left Party.
- Ibrahim Ibrahim, named in the remarks, denied supporting terrorism.
Berlin mayoral candidate Elif Eralp is facing criticism after private remarks about individuals with connections to Hamas were inadvertently published by Der Spiegel. The controversy risks complicating coalition talks for her Left Party, which is seeking to form a government with the Social Democrats and Greens after winning the Sept. 20 election. Eralp's office returned an annotated interview transcript with internal comments, including her concerns about naming individuals linked to Hamas and fears for her safety. Ibrahim Ibrahim, identified in the remarks, has denied supporting terrorism. Political opponents, including CDU candidate Stefan Evers and former Mayor Michael Müller, have raised concerns about Eralp's stance and potential vulnerabilities.