The co-leader of the BSW party, Sahra Wagenknecht, has voiced support for the position of Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer, who opposes the deployment of German peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. Wagenknecht criticized recent statements by CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who reportedly suggested such a deployment as a potential security guarantee during discussions in Washington. “That Friedrich Merz offered the deployment of Bundeswehr soldiers in Ukraine as part of Western security guarantees in Washington is a serious error. Michael Kretschmer is absolutely right to speak out against a Bundeswehr deployment” Wagenknecht stated in an interview with the German newspaper “Welt”.
Wagenknecht emphasized historical considerations, arguing that German troops specifically would be inappropriate. “German troops are prohibited for historical reasons alone. In the event of conflict, Germany would immediately become a party to the war and that must be prevented” she said. She also criticized the Social Democratic Party (SPD) for appearing open to a Bundeswehr deployment.
Wagenknecht called for a national referendum on the issue, stating that if the current governing coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD were to consider sending troops, “Merz must ask the people”. She asserted that the public should have the opportunity to veto such a deployment through a nationwide vote.