Sep 24 min read

The Rise of a Left-Wing Populist in Germany

Sahra Wagenknecht, a former member of the Left Party (Die Linke), has recently founded her own political party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which has seen surprising success in recent German state elections.

The BSW's performance, particularly in the eastern states of Saxony and Thuringia, has shaken up the traditional German political landscape and raised questions about the party's potential impact on future elections.

This blog post will explore Wagenknecht's background, the BSW's political positions, and the factors contributing to the party's success. It will also analyze the implications of the BSW's rise for German politics and the left-wing movement.

Sahra Wagenknecht: From Communist to Left-Wing Populist

Sahra Wagenknecht, born in 1969 in Jena, East Germany, has had a long and complex political career.

She joined the Free German Youth and the ruling Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) in her late teens, before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

After reunification, Wagenknecht studied philosophy and economics, earning an MA and PhD while pursuing a career in politics.In the early 1990s, Wagenknecht became a prominent member of the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), the successor to the SED. She joined the party's Communist Platform faction and ran as a PDS candidate in the 1998 federal election.

After the PDS merged with the WASG to form the Left Party in 2007, Wagenknecht became one of its most divisive and controversial figures.

Wagenknecht's political views have evolved over time, but she has consistently maintained a hardline and populist stance. S

he has been a vocal critic of NATO, the European Union, and Germany's migration policies. In 2017, she called for the dissolution of NATO and a new security agreement that would bring Germany closer to Russia.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Wagenknecht opposed sanctioning the Kremlin and refused to back sending military aid to Ukraine.

Wagenknecht has also been a harsh critic of former Chancellor Angela Merkel's migration policies, arguing that Germany's local authorities lacked the resources to support the influx of refugees. In 2017, she claimed that Merkel's policies were partially responsible for the 2016 Islamist attack on Berlin's Christmas market.

Despite her controversial views, Wagenknecht remained a prominent figure within the Left Party, serving as the parliamentary co-chair from 2015 to 2019.

However, her growing conflicts with the party leadership led her to leave in 2023 and form the BSW.

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW): A New Force in German Politics

The BSW, founded in January 2024, has quickly established itself as a significant player in German politics.

The party's manifesto presents a unique blend of left-wing economic policies and conservative, nationalist positions on issues like migration and foreign policy.

The BSW's success in the recent state elections in Saxony and Thuringia has been particularly noteworthy.

In both states, the party managed to secure double-digit support, ranking third behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

The BSW's performance in these elections has been described as "shocking" and a "disaster" for the traditional left-wing parties in Germany.One of the key factors contributing to the BSW's success is its ability to appeal to a diverse range of voters.

The party's mix of left-wing economic policies and conservative social positions has attracted support from both former Left Party and AfD voters.

A study by the Hans Böckler Foundation found that BSW supporters tend to have economically left-wing positions but more conservative views on cultural and social issues.

The BSW's anti-establishment rhetoric and populist messaging have also resonated with voters who feel left behind by the traditional political parties.

Wagenknecht's ability to tap into the mood of the population and stir up anti-elitism sentiment has been a significant asset for the party.

Implications for German Politics and the Left-Wing Movement

The rise of the BSW has significant implications for German politics and the future of the left-wing movement.

The party's success in the state elections has shaken up the traditional political landscape and raised questions about its potential impact on future federal elections.One of the most pressing concerns is the BSW's potential to draw voters away from the Left Party and other left-wing parties.

The Left Party's support has already been decimated by the emergence of the BSW, while the AfD does not seem to have been significantly affected.

This could have serious consequences for the left-wing movement in Germany, potentially weakening its representation in the Bundestag and limiting its ability to influence policy.

Another concern is the BSW's potential to normalize and legitimize far-right positions. While the party's positions on economic issues may be left-wing, its stances on migration and foreign policy overlap with those of the AfD and other far-right groups.

This could contribute to the normalization of these views and make them more acceptable in mainstream political discourse.

However, it is important to note that the BSW's success is not solely due to its ideological positions.

The party has also benefited from the disintegration of the established political order and the growing disillusionment with traditional parties.

In this context, the BSW has emerged as a disruptive force, challenging conventional categorizations and contributing to the increasing instability of the German political spectrum.

Conclusion

Sahra Wagenknecht and the BSW represent a significant shift in German politics.

The party's success in recent state elections has shaken up the traditional left-wing movement and raised questions about its potential impact on future elections.

While the BSW's mix of left-wing economic policies and conservative social positions may appeal to a diverse range of voters, its positions on migration and foreign policy overlap with those of the far-right and could contribute to the normalization of these views.As German politics continues to evolve, it will be important to closely monitor the BSW's progress and its potential impact on the country's political landscape.

The party's rise highlights the growing disillusionment with traditional political parties and the need for the left-wing movement to adapt to changing circumstances.