A leading figure within Germany’s Left party has expressed skepticism regarding the recent calls by the Social Democrats (SPD) for a legal review potentially leading to a ban of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Ines Schwerdtner, the federal chairwoman of the Left party, voiced her concerns in interviews with RTL and ntv television channels. While acknowledging the SPD’s recognition of the potential appropriateness of such a procedure, she questioned the party’s sincerity, citing ongoing policy approaches that align with certain AfD positions.
Specifically, Schwerdtner pointed to the SPD’s stance on migration policy as an example of this perceived contradiction. Furthermore, she suggested that the SPD is unlikely to succeed in initiating and enforcing a ban in collaboration with the center-right Union parties.
“As it stands, this remains a powerful symbol without further consequences” Schwerdtner stated.
She also criticized the decision to initially establish a joint federal and state working group to examine the AfD, suggesting such structures often lead to political stagnation and delays, effectively preventing meaningful action.