Berlin's Left Faces Coalition Dilemma Over Housing Expropriation Vote

Almost five years ago, a majority of Berliners voted in favor of socializing large housing corporations. Now, the SPD threatens to block the result. The Left party could still govern with them without compromising its core demands. The question of 'coalition capability' or 'governability' is a fundamental issue for left-wing parties in parliamentarism, especially in crisis situations. On paper, the answer is simple: it's about becoming so strong at the ballot box that other parties cannot bypass you, and having enough negotiating power so that 'coalition' does not mean abandoning your core demands and disappointing people. Only if that succeeds are government participations politically meaningful, helping both the party and its most important concerns. Elif Eralp is currently dealing with this problem, as she is not... Read more in the current issue.