In Berlin on February 14, Reuters reports that the successor to East Germany's Communist Party experienced a late surge in the national election campaign. This surge came after its leader, Heidi Reichinnek, criticized the front-running conservatives for cooperating with the far right, which was deemed a historic taboo. The conservatives had partnered with the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) to pass a motion limiting immigration.
Reichinnek's impassioned speech, calling for resistance to fascism, has revitalized her party, garnering significant attention on social media. The Left's engagement with voters appears authentic, unlike paid promotions seen in other parties' social media content.
Previously struggling to reach the 5% threshold for parliamentary entry, the Left's fortunes changed dramatically as Reichinnek's speech resonated with a desire for a firm stance against the AfD. Despite polling at 7%, the Left's highest in years, it poses a challenge to the Social Democrats and Greens, potential coalition partners for the leading conservatives.
The Left's appeal, driven by its hard-left economic platform and rejection of right-wing collaboration, highlights a political shift, especially among younger and disillusioned voters. While facing hurdles to entering government due to ideological differences, the party's newfound momentum serves as a cautionary signal to its more established counterparts about the dangers of courting right-leaning voters.