Bundestag Member Ferat Kocak of The Left party has announced his resignation from the Parliament’s Internal Affairs Committee. Kocak stated on the platform X/Twitter that he felt it was important for The Left party to continue its work in the committee without the issue of his personal conduct overshadowing the proceedings. “I do not want my colleagues and their important parliamentary work to be further burdened by attacks directed at me,” he wrote on Wednesday.
Kocak also clarified that he is neither criminal nor does he support organized crime. Instead, he stressed that he advocates for Neukölln to remain a safe neighborhood for everyone. However, he admitted to making a mistake: “I failed to live up to my own standards in my communication with the Remmo family. I was naive and overwhelmed in that specific situation. I take responsibility for that.”
The controversy stems from recently published chat messages. In them, Kocak apparently sent “Greetings with respect” to clan leader Issa Remmo and requested that Remmo’s son spread a video of his parliamentary speech. Furthermore, Issa Remmo reportedly showed up at the election party of the Neukölln branch of The Left, though the party leadership explained that Remmo had not been invited and was asked to leave immediately upon being recognized.
Kocak subsequently apologized to the public, acknowledging that the reports had rightfully caused public unease. He concluded by stating that “contacts made by mandate holders with individuals attributed to organized crime cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
