The Rise of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance in German Politics

The recent elections in the German states of Saxony and Thuringia have been a significant setback for the traditional left. However, amidst this turmoil, a relatively new party has emerged with surprising momentum. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) has notably secured third place in both states, garnering 15.8% of the votes in Thuringia and 11.8% in Saxony. This unexpected success has drawn comparisons not only to the left’s decline but also to the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), especially following their victory in Thuringia.

Hardliner, Populist, or Both?

Sahra Wagenknecht has been a prominent figure on the far-left spectrum of German politics throughout her career. Born in Jena and raised in East Berlin, she became politically active at a young age, joining the Free German Youth and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany before she turned 20. After the reunification of Germany, she pursued higher education in philosophy, earning a master’s degree with a thesis on Karl Marx’s interpretation of Hegel, which was later published as a book in 1997. She further obtained a doctorate in microeconomics of developed countries, all while advancing her political career.

In 2007, as various leftist parties united to form Die Linke, Wagenknecht emerged as one of its most prominent and polarizing figures, ultimately serving as one of its leaders in the Bundestag. However, her relationship with Die Linke soured over time, culminating in a lengthy and contentious divorce from the party. This split was characterized by a significant faction calling for her expulsion. In January, she founded her own political entity, driven by her conviction that traditional left-wing parties have strayed from their core mission of serving the working class, becoming overly lenient on migration issues, and capitulating to environmental demands—stances she ardently opposes.

Cozying Up to the Kremlin?

Wagenknecht’s economic perspective promotes robust social spending, high wages, and state ownership of resources. Nonetheless, her views on domestic and foreign policy starkly contrast with those of the mainstream left in Germany. In 2017, she advocated for the dissolution of NATO and proposed a new security arrangement that would realign Germany closer to Russia, which is a significant supplier of gas to the country. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, she opposed sanctions against the Kremlin and rejected the idea of supplying military aid to Ukraine. In early 2023, she initiated a petition aimed at halting arms deliveries to Ukraine, seeking a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict. Her “Manifesto for Peace” garnered approximately 700,000 signatures on Change.org within just a month, reflecting her substantial support base.

Wagenknecht’s position on the Ukraine conflict has found favor among far-right factions, including the AfD, while simultaneously causing embarrassment for her former party, Die Linke, leading to the resignation of two prominent members.

Critique of Merkel’s Migration Policies

Wagenknecht has consistently criticized the migration policies implemented by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She argues that local authorities in Germany lack the financial resources and infrastructure to adequately accommodate migrants, a situation she believes fosters social tensions and conflicts. In 2017, she controversially claimed that Merkel’s policies contributed to the tragic Islamist attack on Berlin’s Christmas market in 2016, which claimed the lives of 12 individuals.

• Wagenknecht has called for imposing limits on the number of refugees, a viewpoint that, while contentious, has gained traction among various segments of the German population.
• This position has also been echoed by influential figures, including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in 2023.

To articulate her views on migration, she authored a book titled The Self-Righteous (“Die Selbstgerechten”) in 2021, where she contended that the current migration policies adversely affect the working class. The book achieved remarkable success, reaching the top of the German non-fiction charts and establishing her as one of the highest-earning members of parliament in the country.