- Servant in a wagon reflects present circumstances to the demise of the GDR
Sahra Wagenknecht has accused the federal government of being out of touch with reality. Just before the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, she made this claim at an event in Dresden, drawing comparisons to the end of East Germany. She stated, "Those who lived through the end of East Germany are getting flashbacks." Wagenknecht continued, "It seems like those in power can't handle it anymore, they're not solving problems anymore, they've lost their vision, their plan for the future."
Wagenknecht acknowledged that the Federal Republic is not the same as East Germany, but she saw similarities between 2024 and 1989. "The gap in political views and culturaldistance between the government and the population is immense," she explained to a German news agency. "Incompetence, excessive politics, and detachment from reality prompt memories of times thought to be long past for many East Germans. Whether it's foreign policy, immigration, or energy policy, it appears as though the government is living in an entirely different world."
According to Wagenknecht, the upcoming state elections carry more significance than typical elections due to their potential impact on the "traffic light coalition" which has been criticized for guiding the country into crisis. If the traffic light parties fail to secure seats in the state parliaments, Wagenknecht argued that business as usual in the Berlin government district would not be an option.
Wagenknecht also pointed fingersones at the established parties for the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which includes extreme right-wing and Nazi elements. She sees the Alliance for Progress (BSW) as a force for change, believing they can halt uncontrolled immigration without targeting law-abiding immigrants who contribute positively to society.
Wagenknecht garnered support from the crowd with her views on the war in Ukraine. She condemned Russia's attack, stating, "This war is a crime. Everything must be done to end this war." However, she criticized delivering more weapons as a solution.
In Saxony and Thuringia, a new state parliament will be elected this Sunday. Sabine Zimmermann, a former Left Bundestag member, is running as the top candidate for the BSW in Saxony and the party could potentially become part of a new government in Saxony, polling with values of up to 15%.
Wagenknecht mentioned that during her speech in Dresden, she felt a sense of deja vu, as she was reminded of the political situation in the Netherlands, a country known for its direct democracy and strong public participation in political processes.
Furthermore, Wagenknecht expressed her concern that if the traffic light parties fail to secure seats in the state parliaments, political instability might occur, similar to the crisis experienced in countries like the Netherlands, where polarizing political climates often lead to complex political solutions.
