Key facts
- Sahra Wagenknecht's populist-left party, BSW, has proposed cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
- The offer comes ahead of two state elections in eastern Germany in September.
- BSW seeks to break the political 'firewall' that isolates the AfD.
- The proposal suggests 'shifting alliances' and nonpartisan premiers, falling short of a formal coalition.
- BSW advocates for policies like resuming Russian oil and gas exports, aligning with some AfD stances.
Germany's populist-left party, Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), has extended an offer of cooperation to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in an effort to challenge the country's mainstream political parties. Founded by Sahra Wagenknecht, a prominent politician with a background in East Germany's former ruling communist party, BSW seeks to dismantle the established 'firewall' that prevents other parties from forming coalitions with the AfD.
The proposal, detailed in a letter dated June 26, suggests BSW is prepared to govern in conjunction with the AfD in two eastern German states holding elections in September. This cooperation would be contingent on the AfD agreeing to install nonpartisan premiers and operate within 'shifting alliances,' a move that falls short of a full coalition but could help the AfD overcome its political isolation.
BSW's co-chair, Fabio De Masi, argued that the established parties' strategy of solely blocking the AfD could inadvertently lead to the far-right party securing absolute majorities. He stated that BSW aims to demonstrate problem-solving capabilities and involve the AfD in policy decisions, especially given its strong polling numbers in states like Saxony-Anhalt.
Wagenknecht, who broke away from the far-left Die Linke party to form BSW, advocates for a blend of left-wing policies, such as an expansive welfare state, with some anti-immigration stances and a Moscow-friendly foreign policy, echoing positions often associated with the AfD. While BSW's initial surge in polls has since moderated, it retains support pockets in eastern Germany, where it is polling near the 5% threshold for state parliament entry.
The AfD is currently leading in polls for the September elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with aspirations of achieving absolute majorities. However, a smaller party like BSW might be necessary for coalition building. An AfD spokesperson indicated readiness to discuss with BSW if the party successfully crosses the 5% threshold.
BSW also proposed debates between Wagenknecht and AfD leader Alice Weidel across eastern Germany, bypassing public television, which BSW leaders criticized as biased. This proposal was rejected by the AfD.
Political analysts, such as Benjamin Höhne, express skepticism about BSW's strategy, suggesting that AfD voters are unlikely to shift their allegiance and that BSW's overtures are primarily a tactic to gain media attention and ensure its own survival.