The strategy of political isolation aimed at the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has demonstrably failed, according to Sahra Wagenknecht, co-founder of the newly formed BSW (The Left Split – Electoral Alternative). In a sharply critical commentary published in “Welt” newspaper, Wagenknecht argues that the widely adopted “firewall” approach – intended to prevent the AfD from gaining power – has had the opposite effect, bolstering their support and radicalizing their ranks.
Wagenknecht draws a stinging parallel between the “firewall” tactic and the “antifascist protective wall” erected in East Germany, criticizing it as a tool of political entrenchment rather than a barrier against extremism. She observes that the ongoing attempts to exclude the AfD at the state level have resulted in a situation where almost all other parties are guaranteed positions in government as long as they can secure a minimal 5% threshold, leading to unwieldy and ineffective multi-party coalitions.
The fallout from these perceived failures, Wagenknecht contends, is a migration of disillusioned voters into the arms of the AfD. “For the AfD, the ‘firewall’ has been – and remains – a considerable windfall” she writes. She identifies the BSW’s recent decision to join a government in Thuringia, solely on the basis of excluding the AfD, as a novice misstep. The party has since revised its stance, definitively ruling out participation in future “firewall” coalitions.
Instead, Wagenknecht proposes a radical reimagining of German governance, advocating for the formation of “expert governments” composed of experienced professionals, rather than party representatives. This model, she suggests, would prioritize competence over political affiliation and require that individuals secure parliamentary approval for their proposals on a case-by-case basis. According to Wagenknecht, such a system offers a “new opportunity for parliamentary democracy” potentially shaking the foundations of the established political landscape and challenging the effectiveness of traditional party politics in addressing the nation’s complex challenges. The proposal signals a significant departure from mainstream political discourse and suggests a deepening crisis of confidence in conventional political structures.