Martin Hikel, the local borough mayor of Neukölln (CSP), has raised concerns about the potential influence of criminal clan structures on political debates within the Left Party. Speaking to the broadcaster Welt on Monday, Hikel stated that this threat is real. He argued that the assertion that all efforts against clan-related crime are inherently racist delegitimizes police work, an outcome from which criminal clans would ultimately benefit. In this view, such an stance effectively makes one a willing accomplice to criminal organizations.
Hikel is specifically criticizing positions that dismiss countermeasures against clan crime as generically racist. He maintains that this line of reasoning can delegitimize police efforts and, consequently, be exploited by criminal networks.
Furthermore, looking towards a potential cooperation with the Left Party, Hikel set clear conditions. These conditions notably concern how antisemitism is handled and what political positions and boundaries would define any possible partnership. He stressed that these specifics must be discussed. From his perspective, the Left Party must first define how it deals with members who tolerate calls for a violent Yala Intifada or who effectively glorify murder against Jews in Israel. Hikel questioned how the party plans to address these individuals, stating that such people should not belong in a democratic party, especially not in one seeking governmental responsibility for four million Berliners.
