No-brainer on international law: left-wing politician Emde repeats controversial statements

Vanessa Emde, a member of the newly formed Left Party faction in the Berlin House of Representatives, has reiterated controversial remarks she made earlier this year regarding the existence rights of states. The comments came amid ongoing negotiations between the Left Party, Greens, and SPD for a potential coalition government in Berlin. Emde, representing Neukölln, stated in a recent Instagram video that there is no right to exist for states, only for individuals. She affirmed her stance, saying she would not retract any of her previous statements. The phrase "no-brainer" in international law refers to a self-evident truth. Critics have accused Emde of not supporting the right to exist for Israel. This led to speculation that she might not be accepted into the Left Party faction. However, the Berlin Left faction admitted her into their ranks. During its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, the faction explicitly committed to combating antisemitism, protecting Jewish life, and upholding the right to exist for Israel. All members signed a declaration affirming these commitments. Emde criticized the faction's declaration for selectively citing party resolutions. She pointed out that the declaration did not mention a resolution passed at a June party conference describing Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict as "genocide." Emde described her inclusion in the faction as "a small gain against the state rationale." The term "state rationale," which lacks specific legal definition, was coined by former Chancellor Angela Merkel during a speech before the Israeli parliament in March 2008. Merkel stated that every federal government and chancellor before her had been bound by Germany's special historical responsibility for Israel's security. This historical responsibility, she said, was part of the state rationale of her country. Negotiations between the Left Party, Greens, and SPD for a possible coalition government in Berlin resumed after a brief interruption. On Thursday morning, representatives from the three parties reconvened to continue discussions. The inclusion of Emde in the Left Party faction has sparked debate within the broader political landscape. While the Greens and SPD have expressed willingness to form a coalition with the Left Party, they have also sought to contain more radical elements within the party. The agreement reached regarding antisemitism and criticism of Israel is set to become part of the coalition agreement. However, questions remain about how such agreements can prevent future misunderstandings, given that coalition agreements are typically made between parties, not factions. Elif Eralp, the faction leader and likely future mayor of Berlin, faced her first setback in enforcing the party line. Despite this, negotiations continue due to the shared interest in combating antisemitism among all three parties. However, the Left Party's primary focus appears to be on expropriation policies, which could complicate future coalition dynamics. Monika Herrmann, a former green district mayor and current member of the House of Representatives, emphasized the need for substantive discussions in the renewed negotiations. She believes the Greens should take a proactive role in the talks, ensuring that content-based conversations begin promptly. Herrmann acknowledged concerns raised by the national leadership of the Greens regarding the Left Party but argued that any coalition involving the Left Party, Greens, and SPD would strengthen democracy. She noted that the Left Party is undergoing transformation, focusing increasingly on class struggle and attracting new, growing groups within the party. The ultimate direction of this transformation remains uncertain.