The year 2024 was particularly challenging for the Left Party. In January 2024, their former parliamentary group leader, Sahra Wagenknecht, established her own political party. Additionally, the party’s representation in the European Union was halved to a mere 2.7%. The state elections of 2024 were also disastrous, with the party losing its traditional support base in eastern Germany. It failed to secure a state premier in Thuringia, barely entered Saxony’s state parliament and was entirely ousted from Brandenburg.
Many did not anticipate much success for the Left Party, or Die Linke as it is known in German, in the February 23 parliamentary elections.
Dwindling Support for the Renegade Offshoot
Towards the end of the election campaign, it appeared increasingly probable that the Left Party would surpass the 5% threshold to enter the Bundestag, as the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) experienced a loss in support.
The shift in support is likely due to a change in party leadership last October, with Jan van Aken and Ines Schwerdtner taking over from Janine Wissler and Martin Schirdewan, who were unable to halt the party’s decline.
Image: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa/picture alliance
The new leadership had only been in office a few weeks when Chancellor Scholz’s government collapsed, resulting in a call for early elections. The left-wing party, now without its former coalition partner, the neoliberal FPD, was unable to form a majority in the Bundestag.
Fierce Criticism of the SPD and Greens
Following the collapse of the government last November, the Left Party presented a program focused on social and economic policy, passed at its party conference in January. They accuse the SPD and Greens of inaction in addressing the critical affordability crisis.
“People realize that the Left Party is honestly fighting for social issues, which others are not addressing, and that we are the only ones tackling the rich,” party co-leader Ines Schwerdtner told DW.
Schwerdtner has proposed removing the added value tax on essential foodstuffs, hygiene products, and public transportation tickets. Currently, up to 19% VAT is charged on these items.
Wealth Tax to Address Inequality
To finance these plans, the party intends to introduce a graduated wealth tax, with rates of 1% for assets over €1 million, 5% for over €50 million, and 12% for assets over €1 billion.
“Millions of hardworking people have created this extreme wealth,” party co-leader Jan van Aken stated during the conference, adding that there is enough money around, but it’s just being mismanaged. “We need to reclaim it so that we can all live well again.”
Additionally, the Left Party proposes reforming the debt break, a constitutional regulation, in order to allow Germany to borrow more. This would enable the party to invest €200 billion in the renovation of obsolete infrastructure. Financially struggling businesses would also receive state aid in exchange for long-term job guarantees and collective agreements, in addition to commitments to keep their headquarters in Germany.
Clear Stance Against the Far Right
The party views the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) as its primary opponent in the Bundestag elections.
“Not an inch for the fascists,” van Aken declared at the recent Berlin convention. “We on the left always oppose attempts to divide our society and incitement against migrants.”
A former United Nations biological weapons inspector, van Aken also condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as a violation of international law.
“We on the left are against all wars and stand for peace,” he said, making a distinction between military buildup and other potential avenues for conflict resolution. “We need more diplomacy in Ukraine, not more armaments. Without freedom and democracy in Ukraine, there will be no peace.”
Elders to the Rescue
This article was originally published in German. It was first published on January 18, 2025, and later updated to reflect new developments.
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