Brandenburg's Left Party attacks BSW - dispute over program

Parties - Brandenburg's Left Party attacks BSW - dispute over program

Brandenburgs Left intensifies criticism of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) just two and a half months before the state election. Links fraction leader Sebastian Walter accused the BSW of copying part of its program. "The BSW wrote its program almost entirely from us, at least in the challenges in the areas of housing and rent, education, and healthcare," Walter told the German Press Agency. "They even copied our popular initiative. Apparently, the BSW doesn't value Brandenburg itself much." He added: "The BSW is a disappointment, not a revelation."

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance dismissed the allegation. According to Landeschef Robert Crumbach, the BSW did not base its program on the Left's program. "Since we didn't read the program of the Left, a small party that no longer makes it into the state parliament, nothing can be copied," Crumbach said in response to a query. He urged Walter to "rethink the politics of his party."

Walter: The Left is "in a deep crisis"

The Left is in a difficult situation following losses in the European and municipal elections and prominent departures. In the European election on June 9, the BSW in Brandenburg received 13.8% of the votes, while the Left received 4.4%. A new state parliament will be elected on September 22. However, the European and state elections are not comparable. In addition, the former state parliamentary leader Marlen Block and the mayor of Frankfurt (Oder), René Wilke, left the Left due to discontent. Wilke cited migration policy, the handling of the Ukraine conflict, and the balance of economic and social policy as reasons. He did not include Walter in his criticism.

The Left-state and fraction leader acknowledged a complicated situation. "I see that this party is in a deep crisis," said Walter. He therefore calls for a change in course for the federal party. "We need to quickly rebuild ourselves in terms of content and personnel," said Walter. "The people must see that we have learned from our mistakes." The Left governed Brandenburg in cooperation with the SPD from 2009 to 2019. Walter expressed optimism for the election despite the crisis: "I assume that we will again enter the state parliament strongly."

The Left demands more state services

The Left calls for a halt to higher rents, more investments in hospitals and nursing care, a training offensive for more teachers, no contributions for kindergartens, kindergarten, and after-school care, and more money for public transportation in its election program. In a popular initiative, the Left is advocating for free meals for all pupils in primary and secondary schools.

The BSW names the following goals in its election program: affordable housing, better nursing care services, the retention of all clinics in Brandenburg, more teachers, free meals, free kindergartens, and investments in streets and rail. The party also calls for a "stop to uncontrolled migration" and a ban on mobile phones in primary schools.

The BSW had adopted its state list and election program at the previous Saturday's meeting. The former Left politician Sahra Wagenknecht founded the BSW in January. The Brandenburg BSW state association reportedly has around 40 members, while the Left in Brandenburg has over 4,000.

BSW-Landeschef Crumbach was previously a member of the SPD, and former party secretary Stefan Roth was once in the state leadership of the Left.

1. The criticism from Brandenburg's Left towards the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) has intensified, aimed at allegations of program copying just two and a half months before the state election in Potsdam.
2. Robert Crumbach, the BSW's Landeschef, denies the accusations, stating that they didn't base their program on the Left, a small party that didn't make it into the state parliament.
3. The Left, currently in crisis, suffered losses in the European and municipal elections and saw prominent figures like Marlen Block and René Wilke depart over discontent.
4. Sebastian Walter, the Left-state and fraction leader, acknowledges the crisis and calls for a change in course for the federal party, urging the need to rebuild in content and personnel.
5. The Left's election program focuses on halting higher rents, investing in hospitals and nursing care, a training offensive for more teachers, and allocating funds for public transportation.
6. The BSW shares similar goals including affordable housing, better nursing care services, the retention of all clinics, more teachers, and investments in streets and rail, along with a ban on mobile phones in primary schools.
7. In its election program, the BSW also proposes free meals, free kindergartens, and a halt to uncontrolled migration, while Walter maintains optimism for the election despite the party's crisis.
8. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance was founded by former Left politician Sahra Wagenknecht in January, with the Brandenburg state association reportedly having around 40 members in contrast to the Left in Brandenburg's over 4,000 members.
9. BSW-Landeschef Crumbach was previously a member of the SPD, and former party secretary Stefan Roth was once in the state leadership of the Left.
10. The Abschließende Landtags- und Kommunalwahlen in Brandenburg are set to take place on September 22, with parties' election programs and strategies being heavily scrutinized as election day approaches.

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