Federal Left Party Chairwoman Ines Schwerdtner warns of an American-style election campaign. "We also have populism and fake news, for example about recipients of citizens' income," said the new party leader in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Her party, on the other hand, focuses on education and humanity. "That's the only thing you can do to counter misinformation. We address people directly, not just via social media."
The Left wants to be close to the people and their problems
The strength of the Left lies in being very close to the people and their problems, said Schwerdtner: "We are the party that is close to people's everyday problems." In addition, Die Linke is the only left-wing opposition to rearmament and social cuts. "Our weakness is perhaps that we are sometimes too cerebral and still don't reach people's hearts enough. That will be our big task in the Bundestag election campaign." She believes her party is well equipped for this.
According to Schwerdtner, the Left Party wants to pursue a dual strategy in the Bundestag election campaign and fight for both direct mandates and second votes. Credible candidates for the first vote are always good for the second vote because they stand for the policies of the Left. "The more great direct candidates we have, the better."
