Talks begin in Berlin after Left win overshadowed by anti-Semitism row

Talks on forming a new regional government in Berlin began in the German capital on Thursday morning, with a far-left party eyeing the mayor's office for the first time after coming out on top in elections earlier this month.

Senior politicians from The Left party, the Greens and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are meeting for preliminary talks that are expected to focus on allegations of anti-Semitism against the hard-left party that have dominated German media and political debate since it won the September 20 vote.

The debate has complicated the party's effort to forge a governing coalition. 

Both the SPD and the Greens have called on The Left to make further commitments on protecting Jewish life in the capital before the start of potential formal exploratory talks.

Left faced with allegations of anti-Semitism

The victory of The Left party was met with outrage from many centrist and centre-right politicians, who decried what they saw as anti-Semitic tendencies within the party in relation to comments made about Israel, a charge which The Left party denies.

Many politicians in Germany - a staunch military backer of Israel throughout the conflict in Gaza - view hostility towards Israel as inherently anti-Semitic.

The issue rose in importance after a campaign event held by The Left in Berlin's Neukölln district - which has a large Arab population - featured a rapper who chanted "Death to the IDF," referring to the Israeli military.

Elif Eralp, who is hoping to become The Left's first Berlin mayor, and the first of Turkish heritage, distanced herself from the comments and has disputed allegations of anti-Semitism within the party. In May, she published a five-point plan in which she vowed to protect Jewish life in Berlin.

But she has faced growing calls for more decisive action, including from representatives of the Jewish community.

Allegations of links to organized crime

Accusations of ties by The Left to Berlin's organized crime scene are also expected to feature in Thursday's talks, after the head of an Arab family with alleged criminal ties attended an election night party held by the party's Neukölln chapter.

The party denied having invited the man, stressing that the event was open to anyone and that he was asked to leave after being recognized.

A controversial pro-Palestinian activist was also present at the event, causing further backlash.

Arriving for the talks on Thursday morning, politicians from all three parties appeared intent on calming tensions after days of political turmoil.

Kerstin Wolter, head of The Left in Berlin, said that she was looking forward to the talks, without giving further details, while SPD regional chairwoman Bettina König added that her party was joining the discussions "completely relaxed."

Green regional leader Nina Stahr stressed that the talks were "confidential," and would focus on "issues that are very important for this city."