Amid right-wing AfD’s rise, Germany’s Left too rises from the ashes on youth resurgence: Polls

Germany is heading to elections on February 23, a moment being dubbed as critical to both far-right and far-left parties of the country. Polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) may garner around 20 per cent of votes, thus emerging as a significant player in the country’s politics . The party, which enjoys backing by US billionaire Elon Musk, may clinch 142 seats in the Bundestag.

But the ultimate surprise in these German elections could come from the far-left parties, which many had written off last year following abysmal performance. Amid the rise of far-right AfD , a substantial number of Germans have started backing Germany’s far-left Die Linke party ― or The Left.

The Left surges back to life

The year 2024 turned out to be a nightmare for Die Linke. One of its major leaders, Sahra Wagenknecht, former her own party. The party then saw their representation in European Union cut in half to just 2.7 per cent. In last year’s state elections, the party ended up losing their foothold in eastern Germany.

But just ahead of the polls, the party is showing promising results in polls. It recently surged above the 5 percent threshold needed to enter the Bundestag. Its membership numbers are also going through the roof.

Ines Schwerdtner, one of the party’s national leaders, was quoted by Politico as saying, “It’s incredible how much energy is unleashed when we clarify our positions and focus clearly.”

“There’s a sense of momentum throughout the party,” she added.

Some believe the rise of the Left is a direct result of the rise of far-right party, triggered by a section of people who ae outraged by AfD.

Heidi Reichinnek: The architect of The Left’s revival

The Left party leader Heidi Reichinnek, a firebrand and popular face among youth, is being credited for the last-minute growth the party has witnessed.

Some of her speeches have gone viral on internet, in which she can be seen attacking conservative chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz for allegedly diluting Germany’s so-called firewall against the far-right.

And that’s the damn problem,” she said. “All this happened only two days after we commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz, two days after commemorating the murdered and tormented. Now you’re collaborating with those who carry on this same ideology.”

The far-left party is fast gaining acceptance particularly among young voters. A survey conducted earlier this month revealed 19 per cent of under-30 voters now backed The Left, the same as the Greens.

The party’s membership has also soared to 81,200.

The Left is currently faring at seven percent in polls, while the party formed by Sahra Wagenknecht—Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW)—is polling at five per cent. It effectively means that both left parties now have a chance to enter the Bundestag.

What worked for the Left?

Reichinnek believes the grassroot campaign run by the party has helped a lot.

“We’ve knocked on over 300,000 doors. We’ve spoken with people, we’ve listened, and we’re already helping in their daily lives,” she said at a programme earlier this month.

(With inputs from agencies)