Historic Victory for the Left in Neukölln During the 2025 Bundestag Election

In a remarkable turn of events, the Left party has achieved a significant victory in Neukölln at the 2025 Bundestag election, marking a historic milestone by winning a west German constituency for the first time.

Ferat Koçak, the Left's candidate, secured an impressive 30% of the first votes, outpacing the CDU's Ottilie Klein, who garnered 19.7%, and the SPD's Hakan Demir, the previous winner in 2021, who received 18.8%.

The results were mirrored in the second votes, with the Left party claiming 25.3%, while the CDU followed with 18% and the SPD fell to 15.7%, reflecting a substantial decrease from their previous performance.

The atmosphere on election night was electric, as approximately 400 to 500 supporters gathered in a Tempelhof event space to witness the unfolding results. Koçak addressed his enthusiastic supporters, expressing disbelief at the victory and emphasizing the significance of their achievement. He stated, "Today we have made history. This is our day, and we have won."

Following the election, Koçak reiterated his commitment to representing the working-class residents of Neukölln, stating that he would hold social office hours to assist constituents. He emphasized that their campaign was not merely about electioneering but about building a movement.

Koçak criticized the AfD and CDU for their policies, asserting that these parties do not advocate for the underprivileged and working-class citizens, instead focusing on exclusionary measures.

The comments section on social media was filled with congratulatory messages for Koçak, with former members of parliament expressing their excitement about the formation of a new, robust Left faction in the Bundestag.

However, some critical voices emerged, questioning Koçak's stance on combating antisemitism, given his previous participation in demonstrations that highlighted alleged police violence. The discourse surrounding this issue reflects the complex social dynamics in Neukölln.

In the previous 2021 Bundestag election, the SPD had led the constituency with 25.8% of the first votes and 23.9% of the second votes, followed by the Greens and CDU, underscoring the significant shift in voter sentiment in this election.