Hundreds of supporters of the leftist party Die Linke gathered in a former film studio overlooking Berlin’s Tempelhof airport last weekend, following a significant federal election in Germany that saw a notable rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The election results revealed that the AfD had doubled its support, securing approximately 20% of the overall vote, while Die Linke achieved over 21% in Berlin, marking a moment of mixed emotions for the attendees.
Die Linke: bittersweet election results
The event took place in Neukölln, a diverse neighbourhood in south-eastern Berlin. The victorious Die Linke candidate, Ferat Koçak, a Kurdish-German leftist, led a grassroots campaign that distinguished itself by door-to-door outreach, a strategy not commonly seen in German politics but reminiscent of tactics in the UK and US.
“For several years, the left has been in a kind of shocked paralysis about what to do with the rising right,” described 30-year-old activist Isabelle, emphasising the success of grassroots efforts in rejuvenating leftist appeal.
Die Linke’s recent resurgence comes after a challenging period marked by the split of former co-leader Sahra Wagenknecht, who attempted to create a new political coalition blending leftist economic ideals with social conservatism. That bid, however, failed to gain traction in the elections.
Fellow activist Johanna noted that “young people are more attracted to connecting leftwing economics with antiracism and feminism, and not putting them against each other,” highlighting the shifting priorities among the party’s electorate.
Attracting younger voters
Historically, Die Linke found support mainly among older voters from the former East Germany, who experienced the social upheaval following deindustrialisation. However, the recent electoral results indicate a demographic shift, with West German youth gravitating towards the left. Notably, female voters constituted over a third of Die Linke’s support, while a quarter of male voters opted for the AfD.
Despite Koçak’s victory in Neukölln, he expressed concerns regarding the political climate, stating “dark times are upon us” while addressing the prevalent discussions surrounding deportation and migration.
When asked about the AfD’s growing popularity, he attributed it to socio-economic factors, stating:
They’re gaining strength in a social environment where people can no longer afford to live.
His interactions during campaigning revealed the level of financial strain faced by many, with one constituent indicating that her single shopping bag cost €50, a drastic increase from what previously might have filled two bags.
The economic situation in Germany has become increasingly dire, exacerbated by inflation driven by the energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More than half of Germans express concern over rising costs affecting their ability to pay bills, a sentiment that resonates with 75% of AfD supporters.
Long-standing issues within the German economy, such as insufficient public and private investment over the last two decades, further fuel discontent. Carolina Ortega Guttack, an economist at FiscalFuture, emphasised that a “debt brake” introduced in 2009 has discouraged necessary investments, resulting in a real-term contraction of the economy over the past five years.
Disenchantment
The backdrop to these developments and the rising popularity of Die Linke includes a general sentiment of disenchantment with the political establishment.
With Germany’s economy needing migrant workers to offset an ageing population, rhetoric has increasingly scapegoated immigrants, particularly exacerbated by the AfD’s influence. Under Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) had previously welcomed over a million refugees, but has since shifted rightward regarding migration policy, recently supporting stringent measures against asylum seekers in collaboration with the AfD. This marks a departure from the post-war consensus that maintained a firewall against far-right politics.
Helena Marschall, an activist who opposed the CDU’s recent motions, explained that political parties across the spectrum are engaging in divisive language. “My deportation plans are better than your deportation plans,” she summarised, reflecting the trend of mainstream parties adopting far-right rhetoric in attempts to neutralise their appeal, a strategy that has only served to legitimise these perspectives.
The AfD’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, has cited Hungary’s Viktor Orbán as a model for their approach. Orbán’s administration has been noted for undermining democratic structures while maintaining a façade of democratic processes, echoing strategies seen in repressive regimes like that of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
The potential for such an approach gaining traction in Germany raises alarms amid the current political landscape, as frustrations over economic conditions and anti-migrant sentiments create fertile ground for far-right ideologies.
Die Linke: regrouping to face down the AfD
As the election results foster a complex political environment, many, including Jamil, a Syrian-German refugee who arrived in Germany in 2015, stress the importance of collective memory. “I think our collective memory is very short,” he observed, recalling the welcoming reception refugees once received compared to the current mood of discontent.
With a new coalition of centre-right and centre-left parties expected to form the government, the AfD appears poised to capitalise on the escalating disillusionment within the electorate. However, Die Linke is preparing to counter that.
Featured image via the Canary
