Start of talks led by far-left to form next Berlin city government

A planned left-wing coalition government to run the German capital Berlin took another step forward on Monday, as The Left party, the Greens and the Social Democrats (SPD) began formal negotiations following the far-left party's victory in recent elections.

The Left parliamentary group leader, Elif Eralp - who is hoping to become Berlin mayor - said at the start of the talks in the House of Representatives: "Over the last few weeks, Berliners have repeatedly asked us: When does it start? And now it is starting," said Eralp.

"We have agreed on many things and have agreed a great deal on rent, public ownership, economic and climate questions," she said. "But now we are going in depth on these issues and on the many, many other topics that concern people in our city."

The SPD leader in Berlin, Bettina König, added that over the past two weeks, the three parties had discussed their initial agreement comprehensively from start to finish, and that intensive talks would now begin.

Nina Stahr from the Greens said that despite the early talks, there are some issues the three parties "will only really delve into now during the coalition negotiations."

Stahr also addressed critics of the planned coalition. "Some people still view this government with a degree of scepticism," she said. "But I am very optimistic that we will be able to dispel all these doubts and that, in the coming weeks, we will be able to show that this government can mark a new beginning."

The formal negotiations will take the form of working groups looking at specific themes, and a steering group of leaders to oversee the discussions.