Berlin, 16 March, a Bundestagsabgeordnet of the Left Party, Gregor Gysi, has expressed his concerns over the changing political climate in Germany, both within his party and in the parliament. According to Gysi, the Left Party has become younger and more diverse, with nearly 30,000 new members, which has contributed to its strong performance in the recent federal election, garnering 8.8 percent of the votes.
Gysi, the future president of the Bundestag, believes that the Left Party’s role in the opposition is to influence the Zeitgeist in a constructive manner, but not to be destructive like the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). He mentioned the surprise of the party’s strong performance in the election, as it had been polling around three percent in the run-up to the vote.
The AfD’s presence in the parliament has been a point of contention, with Gysi stating that the party is not being ostracized, as they have a presence in all committees and have plenty of speaking time. He also expressed his disapproval of the AfD’s presence in the parliament, saying he would not vote for an AfD member.
Gysi also lamented the growing personal attacks and the rougher tone in the parliament, stating that it is problematic that the focus has shifted from seeking the truth to seeking majorities. He believes that this has led to more people disengaging from the established political system.
In an interview, Gysi also spoke about the need for Germany to formulate its own interests in the global arena, citing the changing world order and the rise of China. He emphasized the importance of defending freedom, democracy and the rule of law, both domestically and internationally.