The party uses its position in Germany’s three states to press the mainstream parties to oppose military support for Ukraine.
Reuters reports that a new leftist populist German party is challenging Germany’s pro Ukraine consensus by demanding regional officials oppose the military support for Kyiv. Reuters reports that the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, launched in early this year, is now a “kingmaker” in three east German states – Brandenburg Thuringia and Saxony – following its election victories in September.
Germany is the second largest supporter of Ukraine in the world, after the US, when it comes to military aid. BSW’s influence comes during a crucial time, as Russia makes battlefield advances and there is uncertainty about US policy towards Ukraine ahead of the US election on 5 November. BSW was founded in January and blends anti NATO, anti-immigrant rhetoric with left-wing economic policy. It’s a young party that is rapidly growing in Germany. Recently, it secured 13.5% of the vote in Brandenburg, placing third behind Scholz’s SPD, and the far right AfD. BSW is a hard-left party, but its unique mix of policies appeals to a wide range of voters, including those who were previously apathetic, according Aljazeera.
According to Reuters, the party, which along with the far-right AfD, is the only one that opposes arms supplies to Ukraine is using its position as a way to pressure mainstream parties to adopt its anti-war stance in order to form local coalitions. The party’s polling is currently between 7-9% in the upcoming federal elections.
Reuters reports that the Brandenburg branch (SPD) of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), endorsed a joint declaration with BSW declaring:
“The war won’t be ended by more weapons deliveries.”
Reuters reports internal tensions within the BSW. Katja Wolf, the regional BSW leader in Thuringia was criticized by party headquarters for prioritizing a stable government formation during coalition talks over the party’s anti arms stance.
According to Reuters, the BSW’s approach strengthens traditionally Russophile components within the SPD. The party recently appointed leftist Matthias Miersch – a former Russian Gazprom employee – as General Secretary.
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