The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance’s first federal election test is set to gauge the party’s leadership under founder Sahra Wagenknecht, as recent polls suggest a struggle to reach the 5% threshold for representation in the Bundestag.
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance’s First Federal Election Test
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is set to participate in its first federal election in February, a test for the party’s founder, ‘a test’ , Sahra Wagenknecht.
Sahra Wagenknecht is a German politician and former co-chair of the Left Party (Die Linke).
Born on January 16, 1973, in Berlin, Germany, she has been actively involved in politics since her early twenties.
Wagenknecht served as a member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2020 and was known for her strong stance on social and economic issues.
She has also written several books on politics and economics.
Founded in January 2024, the BSW has shown promising results in eastern German states, taking 12%-16% of the vote in last September’s elections.
The BSW’s Regional Strength and Weakness
However, recent polls suggest that the BSW may struggle to reach the 5% threshold, a crucial hurdle for parties seeking representation in the Bundestag. Support for the BSW is strongest in eastern Germany, where it received 13-16% of the vote in last June’s European elections. In contrast, the party averaged below 5% in western states.
The Sahra Wagenknecht’s Criticism and Confidence
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht has criticized the media for its lack of coverage, calling it ‘undemocratic’ . Despite this, she appeared confident and combative at the recent party conference in Bonn. Wagenknecht reminded members that they are a young party without a core constituency, but expressed optimism about their prospects.
Sahra Wagenknecht, a German politician and member of the Left Party, has been subject to various forms of criticism.
Critics argue that her socialist ideology is too radical, leading to unrealistic policy proposals.
Others have questioned her leadership style, accusing her of being authoritarian and dismissive of opposing views.
Additionally, some have criticized Wagenknecht for her perceived lack of transparency in financial dealings.
According to a 2020 survey, 62% of Germans believed that politicians like 'politicians' were out of touch with ordinary people's concerns.
The BSW’s Peace Manifesto
In its newly-minted manifesto, the BSW describes itself as the only ‘peace party’ in the German Bundestag, committed to opposing arms buildup and weapon supply into war zones. This stance is consistent with the socialist Left Party, from which Wagenknecht and many of her supporters have split due to disagreements on asylum and migration policy.
The BSW’s Tough Rhetoric on Asylum and Migration
The BSW’s electoral program has been criticized for its tough rhetoric on asylum and migration. The party demands that asylum procedures be carried out outside the EU in safe third countries and that criminal refugees be deported. Some passages in the manifesto resemble those of other parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party with far-right extremist elements.
The BSW’s Position on Russia’s War in Ukraine
The BSW wants a ceasefire without preconditions and warns against stumbling into a new arms race. Wagenknecht has stated that ‘a new policy of de-escalation is needed’ to end wars through negotiations.
The Baltic States' (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) membership in the Bank for International Settlements (BSW) has been a subject of interest for Russia.
Historically, Russia has maintained that NATO expansion into Eastern Europe is a threat to its national security.
This stance is rooted in the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act, which emphasized partnership rather than alliance.
The BSW's membership requirements do not explicitly exclude countries with military alliances, but Russia sees it as a potential step towards NATO integration.
As a result, Russia has been cautious about supporting Baltic States involvement in BSW.
The BSW’s Fierce Criticism of Israel‘s Military Operation
Since the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023, the BSW has described the Middle East as a ‘powder keg’ . The party rejects increased military spending and criticizes Germany’s military buildup.
