Ines Schwerdtner, the Co-Chairwoman of the Left party, has clarified that her goal is not to participate in a federal government. This stance remains unchanged even in the face of the possibility of a coalition with the Alternative for Germany (AfD): “Our goal is to bring about change” Schwerdtner told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Friday edition). “We would not sell our convictions for a ministerial position.”
Schwerdtner continued, “For us, the focus now is on building our own identity as a left-wing party. And that is a completely different perspective on politics. We want to be so strong in the next four years that we can truly be anchored in society and bring about change. Our coalition partner is the population – and connected to that, trade unions, social associations and tenant organizations. We want to achieve a political shift from society.”
The citizens have “no interest in parliamentary power games anymore” she warned. She added, “It is the politics of disintegration and social cuts that make the right-wing parties strong – and that are also pursued by the SPD. What people are concerned about is: Will my workplace close tomorrow? Can I still pay my rent? The belief that if we are as state-supportive as possible, the right-wing parties will not be elected, is completely wrong. One must deprive the right-wing parties of the fertile ground through a social alternative. That is our task.”
Looking at the new black-red coalition, Schwerdtner said, “The government will have to come to us. Regarding the proposed reform of the debt brake, a two-thirds majority is required. Without us, it will not happen. The coalition will therefore need the Left again. We will do everything to ensure that then trade unions and municipal representatives are at the table. This is a historic opportunity.”
She called on her party ahead of the upcoming Chemnitz party conference to foster a more constructive approach after the chronic internal conflicts of the past years. “We are very interested in preventing this from happening again” she told the RND.
“This is also why we want to establish a new discussion style and a different political culture in the Left. We must discuss difficult questions in such a way that they do not become a breaking point. For this, we must include all parts of the party – even if that takes a lot of work. Compromises must be feasible and last longer than one day.”
The long-anticipated failure at the federal election showed “how existential the threat was and that we can only win together through solidarity” Schwerdtner said further. “But that alone is not enough. We must continue to pursue the new way of presenting ourselves together until it becomes second nature to everyone. We must stick together and make ourselves strong through that. That has even become fun for us by now.