Saxony's Ministry of the Interior Deletes Post About Berlin's Left Party

Following legal action taken by the Berlin branch of the Left Party, the Saxon Ministry of the Interior deleted a controversial social media post about the party. At the same time, Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) rejected the impression that the post was intended to harm a political rival for partisan reasons.

Following the Left Party’s election victory in Berlin a week and a half ago, the CDU politician had expressed concerns on Instagram about the party potentially joining the government. In doing so, he addressed the issues of anti-Semitism and criminal clans and described The Left’s election victory as a “slap in the face to law-abiding citizens.”

In response, The Left, through a law firm, demanded that the ministry issue a cease-and-desist letter by October 2. The post had been shared via the official Instagram and X accounts of the Saxon Ministry of the Interior.

Schuster: Intended to Warn Against the Influence of Clans

Schuster now explained that he had intended to warn against political influence. According to the experience of security authorities, the joint public appearance of “clan leaders” and public figures is part of a strategy to “influence politics.” It is his duty to “take a clear stand against any form of clan crime, extremism, or anti-Semitism.”

The Berlin Left Party is also taking action against other politicians who have accused the party via social media of anti-Semitism and ties to criminal clans. According to a party spokesperson, a lawyer sent similar letters to Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche (CDU) and the interior ministers of other states, including Brandenburg.