Left Party leader warns against American-style election campaign

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."

Everyone should benefit from demands such as the rent freeze

"We want to reach people across the country and address the problems of the vast majority: high rents, skyrocketing prices and a state that is saving money and letting bridges, railways and schools fall into disrepair. If we make demands such as the rent cap, everyone will benefit and then we will also get over the five percent hurdle," emphasized the party chairwoman.

In polls for the Bundestag elections, Die Linke is currently polling at three or four percent and would therefore fail to reach the five percent hurdle. The "Silberlocke" campaign aims to win direct mandates. Party grandees such as Gregor Gysi in Berlin and the Thuringian head of government Bodo Ramelow in Erfurt are competing. Sören Pellmann wants to defend his direct mandate in Leipzig.

Leftists have put the separation with the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance behind them

Schwerdtner also commented on the separation of the Left and the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance (BSW) a year ago. "When I look at the hiccups with the BSW in Thuringia and Saxony, I am glad that this separation has been completed." The Left Party is a membership party made up of many people.

"That is very different from a party that is led by a woman. We don't have one person from the Saarland." The fact that thousands of new members are now joining the Left Party and want to get involved is a wonderful experience, she said.

According to Schwerdtner, the Left Party's approach to the BSW is friendly, but also characterized by competition. Her party will object if BSW launches verbal attacks on recipients of citizens' benefits or migrants. "When BSW lashes out at the most vulnerable, it has nothing to do with a society based on solidarity." She is disappointed by BSW people who used to represent completely different values in the Left Party. "I ask myself what has happened in a year that they have become such turncoats."