Berlin Left party lawmaker Vanessa Emde has said she stands by her statements, according to DIE ZEIT. The remarks came amid a dispute over comments she made, which DIE ZEIT describes as criticism of the political discourse.
The Berlin Left faction's leadership board was due to convene for a special meeting at midday on Friday, Tagesspiegel reports. The session follows a critical video posted by Emde, according to the same outlet.
DIE ZEIT reports that Emde reaffirmed her position rather than backing away from it. In its coverage, WELT says the lawmaker complained of what it called a "Schmierentheater," or smear theater, and celebrated what it described as ground gained against the "Staatsräson," a term referring to Germany's stated reason of state.
The Left faction in Berlin's Abgeordnetenhaus, the city-state parliament, also issued a joint statement, according to its own published declaration.
The episode unfolds during exploratory talks in Berlin, the political discussions referenced in DIE ZEIT's headline. The reporting does not specify the exact content of Emde's original remarks, only that they drew criticism and prompted the faction's leadership to call the special meeting.
What to watch next: whether the Friday meeting produces any disciplinary step or formal response from the faction, and whether Emde's position within the party changes as a result.
