Whilst the AfD holds almost 50 per cent of the seats in the new state parliament in the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the conservative CDU remains the second-strongest party, the social democrats (SPD), the Greens and The Left party (Die Linke) have each managed to secure just a few seats, with results of between 8 and 9 per cent. Sahra Wagenknecht’s party BSW has also secured a place in the state parliament with just over 5 per cent. This shocking election result with an overwhelming right-wing majority in the new state parliament, shows that policies against the far right only work if they are consistent.
Particularly striking is the poll finding that two-thirds of those economically left behind now vote for the AfD. This shows that the approach taken by part of the left – focusing solely on the threat posed by the AfD rather than on right-wing politics in general – has failed. Left-wing politics must offer a consistent alternative to the prevailing right-wing mainstream in order to win over economically disadvantaged people.
One survey result among SPD and Green voters stands out particularly in the analysis. There, 78 per cent of SPD voters and 68 per cent of Green voters say: ‘I am voting for my party in Saxony-Anhalt primarily to prevent an AfD president.’ The SPD and the Greens are both going along with Friedrich Merz’s right-wing course towards rearmament and escalation. These parties have long since given up on convincing voters with left-wing policies. All that remains for them, therefore, is the unconvincing argument of the ‘lesser evil’.
Die Linke, too, has further hollowed itself out by offering to tolerate a CDU government. If 24 years of uninterrupted CDU governments have led to an AfD election victory, electing the next CDU president is certainly not a good option. Credible left-wing politics means opposing the course of massive rearmament whilst making cuts everywhere else. It is precisely on the issue of rearmament that the AfD could be exposed: whilst constantly emphasising its supposed peace policy, it simultaneously supports the largest wave of rearmament since the Nazi era.
The BSW appears to have scored points on the issue of peace policy; however, on migration policy, it aligns itself with the racist right-wing narrative that people who have recently arrived in the country bear some blame for the misguided policies of those in power. This, coupled with its openness to cooperation with the right, is reprehensible and betrays a complete lack of any convincing left-wing stance.
Just as we are currently doing in the MERA25 Berlin election campaign, we will continue to organise resistance alongside all those who wish to take a firm and consistent stand against right-wing and capitalist policies that impoverish the masses. Starting with resistance against the Merz cabinet and its right-wing restructuring of the state (for example, the recent expansion of powers for the secret services or the plan to introduce compulsory military service), and equally in resistance against any future AfD government, which will further expand this restructuring of the state, military rearmament and repression against those who think differently.
Just as is happening on the streets of Berlin right now, we are fighting for affordable housing and free, unsurveilled spaces, climate justice and self-determination, companies in the hands of workers, and peace! If we want to win, we must organise ourselves, whether in trade unions, movements or political parties. We would be delighted to have your support here for consistent left-wing politics with DiEM25 and MERA25.
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