MOSCOW, January 10, Mikhail Katkov, Victor Zhdanov. The «Sarah Wagenknecht Union» in Germany is seeking negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict, demanding the inclusion of Russia in the European security architecture. In terms of ratings, this new party is no longer inferior to the SPD, which includes Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Read about how the political landscape in Germany is changing in the article .
It's time to come to the table Bundestag member Sarah Wagenknecht and her like-minded people are against further arming of Ukraine and for the immediate start of dialogue between Moscow and Kiev. Recalling the Istanbul negotiations in March 2022, she pointed out that even then everything could have been resolved peacefully.
Sarah Wagenknecht at a press conference announcing the creation of her own party in Berlin
Her ally Fabio de Masi considers it necessary to directly address Putin and restore communication with Russia. The «Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance» harshly criticizes the United States and NATO. They calculated: the collective West has invaded five countries over the past few years, more than a million people have died from American aggression.
As for domestic policy, there is an emphasis on limiting the influx of refugees. “We are dealing with uncontrolled migration, there are too many newcomers,” emphasizes Wagenknecht.
She also disagrees with the government's climate agenda. In her opinion, curtailing the production of cars with internal combustion engines by 2035 is unreasonable. It makes more sense to produce more economical and environmentally friendly cars. “This is our know-how, we are the leader here,” explains the politician. “No matter what the EU proclaims, the world will not listen, but we could dramatically increase exports.”
Sarah Wagenknecht
It is noteworthy that by the time of registration, the Sarah Wagenknecht Union had collected 1.4 million euros for the party treasury — all these are private donations.
The first congress will take place in Berlin at the end of January. In June there are elections to the European Parliament — the party expects to receive at least ten percent. Voting takes place in the autumn in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg. These are the eastern lands, where they are especially dissatisfied with the current federal authorities. Wagenknecht believes that her comrades will get into regional governments.
The Fall of the Chancellor Scholz is doing badly. According to a poll by the Insa Institute, only 19 percent of Germans will support the SPD in the elections to the Bundestag with his candidacy for chancellor. He is the most unpopular head of the German government of all time. Almost 65 percent would like Scholz to be replaced by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who recently refused to call Ukraine an ally.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica admits the early resignation of the German chancellor. Bild recalled the corruption scandal surrounding Wirecard in 2020, when Scholz served as Minister of Economy and “did not notice the greatest fraudulent scheme in German history since World War II.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
On Friday, January 5, farmers angry over the removal of fuel subsidies and transport tax breaks prevented Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck from disembarking from the ferry on which he had arrived. More than a hundred people demanded negotiations, but received tear gas and police batons in response. This outraged a lot of people. Germany has been on strike since Monday. Farmers' unions block highways and hold demonstrations in cities.
Pro-Russian revivalPolitical scientist Oleg Bondarenko believes that Wagenknecht has a chance of success. In 2009, she already brought the Left party to the Bundestag, but then parted ways with them.
Participants in a rally of AfD party supporters in Erfurt, Germany
“Most likely, they will no longer be there in the next convocation. The Wagenknecht Union will try to fill the vacant seats. Ten percent is quite realistic,” the expert says. “They have a common electorate with the Alternative for Germany.” But the AfD is still stagnant, it’s not easy for them to get votes «.
According to Bondarenko, Wagenknecht is a classic left-wing politician who perceives Russia as an alternative center of power to the United States. For several months now, she has been calling not to arm Kiev anymore, since this does not meet the interests of Berlin.
Bundestag in Berlin, Germany
At the same time, the expert notes the relative popularity of the non-systemic “Alternative for Germany.” Theoretically, the Sarah Wagenknecht Union can follow her path. But it’s too early to talk about this.