It's unclear if the "Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance" (SWA) will participate in all state elections next year following its establishment. According to Amira Mohamed Ali, the party chair, they're in need of state associations, a robust candidate list, and sufficient funds for a successful campaign in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg. Despite promising showings in initial polls, the party's success in all three federal states remains uncertain.
The SWA is set to build its foundation by participating in the European elections in June. However, financial support will be crucial for a successful campaign. At present, the association has managed to collect 1.2 million euros, which will cover initial expenses, including founding costs, the first party conference, and establishing basic structures. According to Mohamed Ali, this is far from enough for the European election campaign.
Sahra Wagenknecht, a former Left Party parliamentary group leader, left the party in October to establish the rival SWA. Formed as an association, the SWA is slated to officially become a party on January 8.
Mohamed Ali expressed concern over the vast representational gap in parliaments, which the new party aims to bridge. The SWA aims to offer an alternative for protest voters on the right, and Mohamed Ali has revealed that they've also developed strategies to capture the voting strength of non-voters, particularly in the right-leaning segments.
Wagenknecht has hinted at her interest in co-leading the party with Mohamed Ali, with a primary focus on campaigning against healthcare system privatization. New approaches are also sought in migration and education policies. Mohamed Ali argues that focusing solely on migration is not an adequate solution to tackle the skill worker shortage in Germany, where tens of thousands of young people lack a school-leaving certificate.
In light of financial constraints, the SWA will be counting on generous donations from supporters to support its European election campaign upon formal party establishment in January.
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- Since its establishment, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (SWA) has shown significant support in eastern Germany, with 12%-16% of the vote in the recent 2024 state elections in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.
- However, the SWA's support is comparatively lower in western Germany, where the average is less than 5%.
- Concerns remain over the party's ability to clear the 5% threshold needed for representation in the Bundestag due to recent polls.
- The party's distinct policy positions, including abolishing carbon prices, importing more fossil energies, rejecting increased military spending, and describing itself as the "only peace party," have gained much attention.
- Sahra Wagenknecht has criticized the media for inadequate coverage but has frequently appeared on German TV political talk shows.
- The SWA's election manifesto opposes sanctions against Russia, which it perceives as unrelated to the Ukraine war, and emphasizes peace party principles.
