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Last-Minute Drama Rocks the Left Party: Comfortable Position Challenged

By Hubertus Volmer, Chemnitz

The Left Party's congress in Chemnitz was supposed to be a peaceful affair, but old disputes kept rearing their heads - antisemitism and Israel, arms trading, and Russia. Even governing unanimously isn't guaranteed for all leftists.

The congress concluded with a resounding defeat for the party leadership. A motion strongly opposed by Jan van Aken, party chief, was passed by a close vote: 213 delegates voted in favor of a resolution aligning the Left Party with the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.

Though it may seem insignificant in the congress's din, it's a significant upset. As Thuringian state parliamentarian of the Left Party, Katharina König, put it on Bluesky, "This means the Left Party no longer stands for #againstanyantisemitism."

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The Jerusalem Declaration is contentious, and it's no surprise van Aken opposed the motion. Some experts view this declaration as trivializing antisemitism. The proposers deny this, but they're upset that their motion was repeatedly sent to committees without discussion.

Only 183 Delegates Choose van Aken's Side

Van Aken argues that the Left Party found a fair compromise at last year's congress in Halle regarding the Middle East conflict. Yet, the proposers aren't pleased. They require "clarity to refute false, defamatory accusations" against the Left Party.

Jan van Aken delivers a brief counter-argument, but there's no real dialogue since there's no time. "I'm against ending a scientific debate through a party congress resolution," he notes, refraining from diving deeper into the chat.

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Left Party MEP Özel Demirel-Böhlke vehemently opposes van Aken, stating that there's no scientific debate, only two competing definitions: the Jerusalem Declaration and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Demirel-Böhlke contends that, according to IHRA, any criticism of the Israeli government can be labeled as antisemitism. This is a matter of debate, but she receives booming applause. A digital vote reflects 183 delegates aligning with van Aken's plea, but it's not enough. 40 abstain. Many delegates are absent by this point.

Is it About Definitions or Cooperation?

The debate is the centerpiece of a broader disagreement that runs throughout the congress. Several delegates in Chemnitz showcase their support for the Palestinian people with a kufiya.

It's not about definitions for Katharina Köönig and other leftists on Bluesky. Instead, they state that the aim is to "exonerate individuals and groups from the charge of antisemitism to continue cooperating." Indeed, the Jerusalem Declaration does not state that denying Israel's right to exist is antisemitic.

The ongoing conflict over handling Israel and the Middle East has been brewing in the party for a long time, increasingly leaning toward Israel. Several prominent members have already departed, such as former Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer. He might not find much reason to return: On Tuesday, Left Party federal board member Ulrike Eifler posted a map of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank on X, with Israel's borders invisible. Two days later, the party executive distanced itself from "any call, statement, or visual representation that, under the guise of solidarity with the Palestinian population, negates the existence of Israel or promotes its elimination." (For more on this, visit Wikipedia.)

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In Chemnitz, the party executive had already negotiated a Middle East resolution intended to calm tensions. It only quotes the accusation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, without explicitly making the accusation itself. The resolution received strong support with the blessing of the party executive.

Familiar Disputes Continue to Emerge

Anti-Semitism and Israel were just two aspects of the longstanding debate that flared up in Chemnitz. It was meant to be a congress of harmony, but marching orders were largely met. Delegates celebrated their return to the federal election and expressed confidence that their winning streak would continue in the coming year.

"The first left mayor for Berlin, that's a goal," faction leader Heidi Reichinnek said in her speech on Friday. She listed all the upcoming elections: communal elections in North Rhine-Westphalia in September, state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate in March 2026. The party leadership hopes that the Left will make it into the parliaments of these two federal states for the first time. Elections are also scheduled in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the coming year.

"A system we reject"

But the Left seems to be doing too well to avoid disagreements. Other sticking points involve relationships with power, defense policy, and, consequently, relationships with Russia. A delegate from Hesse reflected in the evening debate, "I experience a chronic clinging to beliefs that are increasingly detached from reality in parts of the party." This mainly concerns issues of war and peace. "It overlooks the fact that the repeated calls for rearmament have a real cause, namely the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

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While positions like these are far from the majority, it was still surprising that they were expressed at all during the conference on Saturday. The party conference unanimously rejected the reintroduction of conscription and other compulsory services.

A motion demanding the resignation of the Left Party's ministers and senators in the state governments of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern gathered significant applause. "We are responsible to our class and the people, not to a system we reject," said one of the proposers. This rejection stems from the rejection of "war credits," with several speakers drawing comparisons to 1914. However, the general rejection of government participation "under capitalist conditions" also appears to be popular - an opinion that likely only a minority supports. But it exists, and it's noticeable.

Success is a Double-Edged Sword

Party leader Ines Schwerdtner addressed the counter-argument to the motion against the state associations of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. "Dear comrade, I agree with everything you've said in substance." Schwerdtner argued formally: The main motion had already decided that such a situation should never happen again. Schwerdtner implored the party conference not to "set a precedent." This motion was rejected by 219 to 192 votes and 39 abstentions.

In the end, all ongoing conflicts were overshadowed, one could also say, swept under the rug. Reliable applause greeted familiar slogans. This will likely work for a while, particularly for new members who are probably not interested in resolving old disputes. But in the long run? The success of the Left Party comes with doubts.

Source: ntv.de

The Left Party
Chemnitz
Party Conference
Jan van Aken
Antisemitism
Israel
Anti-Semitism

The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, a contentious document, was the subject of a motion passed by a narrow vote at the Left Party's congress in Chemnitz, despite opposition from party chief Jan van Aken.
The debate over the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism becomes part of a broader disagreement within the Left Party, with some delegates expressing their support for the Palestinian people wearing a kufiya.
The Left Party's ongoing conflict over Israel and the Middle East has been brewing for a long time, with several prominent members having already departed, such as former Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer.
Delegates at the Left Party's conference in Chemnitz celebrated their return to the federal election and expressed confidence in their winning streak, while addressing other sticking points involving relationships with power, defense policy, and Russia.