Voting process - Wagenknecht's impact on the political landscape
A party known as the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance, founded just five months ago, had a noteworthy success in their first nationwide test during the European elections. "We'll change politics in Germany," declared Wagenknecht to her excited supporters in Berlin. Though the party is a long way from achieving this, the BSW could potentially disrupt the political landscape.
The BSW's particularly strong appeal in Eastern Germany means they could be a significant factor in the state elections coming up in September, potentially testing coalitions for the first time. The BSW's next challenge will be the federal election. Wagenknecht is gaining support at the expense of both the AfD and her former party (Die Linke), which she left in conflict back in October. Die Linke, with a result of less than 3% in Europe, is now fighting for survival.
Why the BSW is a success
According to political scientist Jan Philipp Thomeczek, the BSW has filled a void by offering a left-wing social policy and a right-wing societal policy. Examples of this include advocating for higher pensions and more minimum wage, while opposing climate protection and the acceptance of refugees. This unusual combination is new to Germany. Thomeczek also notes the populist approach seen in Wagenknecht's rhetoric, portraying her as the advocate for the working people against "the establishment." This resonates especially well in Eastern Germany, where the BSW received over 13% of votes.
How Wagenknecht leads the way
The personalization of the new party is an unprecedented move, according to Thomeczek. Wagenknecht is well-known, despite criticism from some and admiration from others. She has a strong influence on the party, determined by her bestseller "The Self-Righteous" published in 2021. Her fellow party members - such as co-chair Amira Mohamed Ali, general secretary Christian Leye, and European candidates Fabio De Masi and Thomas Geisel - don't compare to her in terms of recognition. A potential concern for the BSW: if Wagenknecht were to vanish somehow, there's a worry that the party might not make it into the Bundestag.
The BSW's strongest focus has been on war and peace, which is key to their supporters. "They're very concerned about the Ukraine war potentially escalating into a major European war and they wish it didn't have to be always about weapons and the military map," says Wagenknecht. She urges for negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, voices concerns about arms deliveries to Ukraine, and draws attention to the role of the US and NATO. She connects with her supporters on an emotional level with these issues. "This is the only electable party," stressed a doctor in the audience of the BSW closing rally in Berlin. His companion added, "We're as close to the third world war as ever." Both expressed the belief that Putin had legitimate security interests and that the West was responsible for the war in Ukraine, making the BSW the only viable alternative to the AfD.
Who the BSW repels
Thomeczek has analyzed the content positions of the BSW, finding it competes with the AfD for potential voters. Both parties share similar views on the Ukraine war and migration, as well as a populist decline rhetoric and criticism of elites. However, while the BSW may have more crossover with established parties, the voters of the Left offer greater potential according to Thomeczek, as evidenced by the findings of a study by the Hans-Böckler Foundation. This studyshowed that the BSW is best positioned to fill a gap in the German party system, gaining significant support from both former voters of the Left and the AfD. Initial analyses show the BSW received around half a million votes from former SPD supporters and over 400,000 from the Left.
The Left is in a precarious position
So while the Left seems like a large group with over 50,000 members compared to the BSW's roughly 650, they lack influential figures. Top members of the party include Martin Schirdewan, the federal chairman, and Janine Wissler, his co-chair. Their political concept is different from that of the BSW, with no one figure dominating and a more concrete set of demands such as the end of the debt brake, a minimum wage, price caps for food, and a doner price cap. However, these demands have had limited impact.
By the end of Sunday, the party only had about 3% of the votes and a disgruntled Schirdewan. It seemed hopeless when he said, "This isn't a night to hide in the sand." The party will work on their structural and programmatic arrangements for the upcoming federal election and "also tackle personnel considerations for the future." This may be their final opportunity.
