Berlin election and official correspondence

Elif Eralp, the candidate for Die Linke who won the Berlin state election to become the elected mayor of the German capital, responded formally to a congratulatory letter from Alexis Tsipras on 2 October 2026. Tsipras had initially reached out to congratulate Eralp after Die Linke secured victory in the Berlin state vote, prompting the official reply from the German capital. The exchange was confirmed through statements issued from the office of Tsipras on Amalias Avenue in Athens. Eralp opened her letter by thanking the president of EL.A.S. for his supportive remarks and for the solidarity he demonstrated following the election outcome in Berlin. The communication between Berlin and Athens reflects established relations between the German left-wing party and Greek political figures. The correspondence centered on the political implications of Die Linke's electoral performance for regional governance and broader European politics.

Perspective on the AfD and European political trends

A central theme of Eralp's letter addressed the broader political momentum in Germany and the rest of the continent. She specifically assessed the regional electoral outcome in Berlin against the backdrop of rising support for the Alternative for Germany party. In her communication, the elected mayor described the result as an encouraging sign that the rise of the AfD in Germany and the far right across Europe is not inevitable. The assessment framed the Berlin state election as evidence that left-wing platforms can successfully contest ground against far-right organizations. Eralp positioned the electoral victory as a counterweight to shifting political balances across multiple European nations.

“We are grateful to have friends and partners like you, who share our commitment to democratic and leftist ideas and want to provide an alternative to the neoliberal reality in which we live.”

Ideological alignment and economic alternative

Beyond addressing electoral rivals, Eralp's response focused on the ideological common ground connecting her party with Tsipras and EL.A.S. She pointed to their shared dedication to democratic governance and left-wing principles as the foundation for their political relationship. According to the details released in Athens, the newly elected mayor noted the necessity of formulating a tangible alternative to the current neoliberal framework governing economic policy in Europe. This shared ideological perspective formed the basis of her message to Tsipras. The communication stated that cross-border political solidarity remains essential for presenting structural policy alternatives across European municipalities and states.

Plans for long-term bilateral cooperation

To conclude her message, Eralp turned to the future relationship between the municipal leadership in Berlin and Tsipras's political network in Greece. She explicitly conveyed her desire to expand institutional and political cooperation with EL.A.S., specifying that this collaboration should be established on a long-term basis. The outreach from Berlin indicates an intention to maintain regular exchanges and coordinated positions on social and economic challenges facing both countries. Representatives from Amalias Avenue noted that the message concluded on a cooperative tone aimed at strengthening international ties between democratic left movements. The dialogue sets the parameters for continued engagement between the two political entities in the coming period.