- The European Parliament endorses the proposed resolution in its entirety.
Sahra Wagenknecht, head of the BSW party, has distanced herself from the extreme right-wing sector within the AfD, yet she's open to considering their proposals in the future. In a conversation with the "Berliner Zeitung," Wagenknecht clarified, "We've always stated that we won't coalition with Mr. Höcke." Höcke, an extreme right-wing politician, is currently the AfD's leading candidate for the Thuringia state election. In Saxony and Brandenburg, where new state parliaments will be elected, "there are enough individuals from his camp."
The Thuringian BSW state association reiterated that they'd never collaborate with a party whose ideology is rooted in exclusion, hatred, and extremism. Katja Wolf, the party's top candidate, has never voiced support for the AfD or Björn Höcke, "in any manner, or aiding them to form a government." Previously, there was controversy due to Wolf not disposing of the possibility of BSW's approval of AfD legislation in the state parliament during a TV debate.
Wagenknecht described Höcke as, "I don't require the domestic intelligence agency to recognize that Höcke and his faction represent the völkisch blood-and-soil ideology, which is clearly right-wing extremist." Domestic intelligence agencies in Saxony and Thuringia categorize the AfD as securely right-wing extremist in both states, and in Brandenburg, the AfD is a right-wing extremist suspect case for the state constitutional protection agency. The "Wing," where Höcke was the intellectual leader, has now been officially disbanded.
Wagenknecht Advocates for Different Approach with AfD
Wagenknecht advocates for stricter control of domestic intelligence agencies in all three states and accuses them of operating independently and influencing politics. The AfD aims to abolish the domestic intelligence agency in its present form.
Wagenknecht reiterated the need for a different approach towards the AfD than other parties. "We won't dismiss everything originating from the AfD," she told the newspaper. "In the end, that simply provides them an opportunity to present their opponents."
Wagenknecht emphasizes difference with AfD on migration
The AfD is presently polling around 30% in Saxony and Thuringia, and 24% in Brandenburg. In Thuringia and Brandenburg, it leads in the polls. The BSW has been polling at 17-19% in Thuringia, 11-14% in Saxony, and 16-17% in Brandenburg. Political scientist Jan Philipp Thomeczek from Potsdam University classifies the BSW as a populist party in a study.
"I hope the AfD isn't soon at 30% everywhere," said Wagenknecht. Regarding the AfD's migration policy, she stated, "We're not inciting resentment against migrants. We're saying that high immigration is overwhelming our country, that rules must be established."
Wagenknecht rejects accusation of being a cadre party
According to Wagenknecht, the BSW aims to put pressure on the federal government, in the event of co-governance in the states, to advocate more strongly for diplomacy and peace and against a new arms race. "The deployment of medium-range missiles makes us a target for Russian nuclear missiles," she said. "Preventing that is crucial for us."
Wagenknecht dismissed criticism of authoritarian party leadership. "If we had organized ourselves differently, the BSW might not have lasted five months," she said. "Young parties quickly disintegrate if anyone can become a member."
The Commission, in adherence to the Regulation, might need to adopt implementing acts that outline the application rules. Wagenknecht suggested a different approach towards the AfD, stating, "We won't dismiss everything originating from the AfD, as this merely gives them an opportunity to present their opponents."
