Green party leader Franziska Brantner is putting pressure on Die Linke faction leader Heidi Reichinnek regarding party member Ferat Kocak. Brantner told the news portal “T-Online” that if Die Linke genuinely intends to combat antisemitism, Kocak cannot remain a part of their Bundestag faction.
Brantner asserted that merely regretting antisemitism is insufficient; Die Linke must ensure absolute clarity across all levels. She insisted that Reichinnek holds responsibility for her parliamentary group and must finally take the necessary consequences.
Brantner described Kocak’s explanations concerning his attendance at events-where he allegedly glorified terrorism, questioned Israel’s right to exist, and spread antisemitism-as well as his links to organized crime in Berlin, as “not credible” and “unacceptable.”
The Die Linke MP, Kocak, has already withdrawn from the Bundestag’s Interior Committee. However, faction leader Reichinnek publicly stood behind her party colleague, stating that Kocak provided comprehensive and thorough transparency as had been announced.
