Saxon Left Party parliamentary group leader criticizes Sahra Wagenknecht alliance

The Saxon Left Party parliamentary group leader Rico Gebhardt does not currently consider the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance to be an ally in the Free State. "The BSW is not a project for democratic renewal. It is based on a cult of personality, has a hierarchical structure and is an exclusive club that only hand-picked people are allowed to join," Gebhardt told the German Press Agency in Dresden on Friday.

"The Wagenknecht party is currently gaining popularity because it promises everything to everyone. But she will have to make a commitment. We assume that the grouping will disappoint hopes and do not consider its contradictory concept to be sustainable in the long term. A person is not synonymous with a program," emphasized the 60-year-old Left Party politician.

In the state election campaign, Die Linke does not want to fixate on competitors: "We are dealing with the government - and with the danger posed by the extreme right, especially the AfD. Now and after election day, we are open to all those who want to fight with us for social justice, democracy and peace."

Gebhardt left open whether there will be a rapprochement with the BSW in the future. Everything depends on the still open positioning in terms of content and the personnel line-up. "Ms. Wagenknecht has already stated several times that she wants to form a coalition with the CDU. I therefore do not assume that a cooperation with us would come about should the BSW enter the state parliament." The grouping is trying to copy some of the Left Party's social demands. "We are the original when it comes to making the country more socially just."

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance split from the Left Party in the fall of 2023 after long internal party disputes. In the meantime, the first state associations of the BSW have been founded. The alliance also wants to run in the state elections in eastern Germany this year.