Elif Eralp: A leftist leader with Turkish roots dubbed ‘Germany’s Mamdani’ - Al Jazeera

Eralp’s victory in Berlin signals that despite the far-right’s rise, Germany continues to be liberal, experts say.

x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Elif Eralp speaks to reporters after the state election win in Berlin, September 21, 2026 [Axel Schmidt/Reuters] By Urooba Jamal Published On 21 Sep 2026 21 Sep 2026 When Elif Eralp was 10, she rallied her friends to make hand-painted posters in her family’s garage, calling for the protection of the environment.

It was the early nineties in Germany and this was one of her first forays into activism. Her parents also inspired her by taking her along to political demonstrations.

Now, 35 years later, Eralp is taking her social justice advocacy to new heights.