The Left party (Die Linke) has announced a significant surge in membership, reaching a new record level. Spokespersons confirmed the party now boasts approximately 120,000 members, a substantial increase from the near 60,000 recorded last year. This membership figure mirrors the levels achieved by the party’s predecessor, the PDS, in 1994.
The growth follows a period of decline at the end of 2023, when a faction led by Sahra Wagenknecht departed, resulting in the loss of parliamentary group status within the Bundestag. Membership had then fallen to around 50,800.
This year has seen nearly 64,000 individuals joining the party, with 26,000 joining since the previous federal election. The party is reportedly welcoming an average of 70 new members daily. Ines Schwerdtner, one of the party’s co-chairs, stated that the membership increase demonstrates resonance with their political approach and messaging. She attributed the growth to a perception of the party as a counterweight to political shifts and a source of hope for societal change.
Geographically, North Rhine-Westphalia currently holds the largest concentration of Left party members, totaling 22,315. Berlin and Saxony follow with approximately 16,500 and 11,000 members respectively. Membership in Saxony-Anhalt currently stands at approximately 4,000.
The party’s membership comprises roughly 53,000 women, 61,000 men and 5,400 individuals who identify as diverse or have not specified their gender. The average age of members is 38.62 years, based on information provided in membership application forms. The Left party is currently conducting a comprehensive survey of its members, including inquiries into their socioeconomic backgrounds.
For comparison, the Green party currently has approximately 170,000 members, while the recently formed Basis Social Movement (BSW) has around 4,500. The growth in membership is anticipated to provide a boost for upcoming electoral campaigns, with a particular focus on the upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt.