The Storm Before the Calm: The Left's Controversial Conference
The political left apparently exhibits an excessive amount of understanding or awareness, according to the given perspective.
By Hubertus Volmer, Chemnitz
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The party conference was brimming with unity, but old feuds resurfaced: antisemitism, Israel, arms, and Russia. Even the notion of governing wasn't universally embraced among leftists.
In a narrow victory at the Left Party's conference in Chemnitz, the party leadership suffered a resounding defeat. A motion opposed by party chief Jan van Aken still gained a slim majority in the final moments: 213 delegates voted for a resolution aligning the Left with the controversial Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.
This seemingly innocuous decision sparked a fury, even if it went unnoticed in the conference's chaotic atmosphere. "A fatal resolution," lamented Thuringia state parliamentarian Katharina König on Bluesky. With this vote, the majority essentially closed the door on the Left's commitment to #NoAntisemitism.
Van Aken Stands Alone
The Jerusalem Declaration is a contentious topic, and van Aken had good reasons for opposing the motion. Several experts argue that this declaration trivialized antisemitism. Those in support, however, are primarily upset that their proposal was repeatedly sidelined – this time to committees once more.
Van Aken contends that the Left found a suitable compromise at the 2021 party conference in Halle. This painstakingly negotiated resolution concerned the Left's position in the Middle East conflict. Yet, the applicants were unsatisfied. One explains, "We need to establish a clear stance to refute false and defamatory accusations against the Left."
Van Aken delivers a brief rebuttal but engages in no lengthy discussion, as there was no time for it. "I'm against ending an academic debate through a party conference resolution – we can't do that," he asserts. He offered no further insights into the debate. Earlier in the day, the party conference remembered the Holocaust survivor, Margot Friedländer.
A Divided Left
Left MEP Özdemir-Böhlke vehemently opposes van Aken, asserting that there is no academic debate, only two competing definitions: the Jerusalem Declaration and that of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Demirel-Böhlke claims that based on IHRA, any criticism of the Israeli government can be labeled as antisemitism. This is debatable but earned a strong round of applause. In the digital vote, 183 delegates sided with van Aken – still not enough. 40 abstained. Numerous delegates were absent at this juncture.
Definitions or Cooperation?
The Jerusalem Declaration debate underscores an underlying disagreement pervading the entire party conference. Several delegates expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people by donning the traditional kufiya.
Not just Katharina König, but other leftists were dismayed on Bluesky. It isn't about definitions, writes former MP Martina Renner, but about being able to exonerate individuals and groups from antisemitism charges to maintain cooperation. Interestingly, the Jerusalem Declaration does not indicate that denying Israel's right to exist is antisemitic.
The dispute over Israel and the Middle East conflict has been simmering in the party for some time and has progressively become more biased against Israel. Several prominent members have already departed the Left on this issue, including former Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer. With the recent controversy surrounding federal board member Ulrike Eifler's controversial post on X, it seems Lederer may have little reason to return.
Compromise on the Middle East
Before the conference, the party executive negotiated a Middle East resolution aimed at easing tensions. It merely accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip but does not explicitly make the charge itself. "The Israeli government and its henchmen must be held accountable," asserts delegate Hana Qetinaj from Frankfurt am Main, one of the applicants, during this debate. The Left has lost credibility on this issue, Qetinaj laments. "A false relativization during a genocide does not do justice to what is happening there." With the backing of the party executive, the paper attained a clear majority.
Old Battles Resurface
The Israel-related conflict was just one aspect of the ongoing dispute that flared up in Chemnitz. It was meant to be a harmonious party congress, and for the most part, it was. The delegates celebrated their return to the federal election and assured each other that their winning streak would continue in the coming year.
"The first left mayor for Berlin, that's a goal," states faction leader Heidi Reichinnek in her speech on Friday. She lists all the upcoming elections: in September, local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, in March 2026, state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. The party leadership hopes that the Left will finally enter parliament in both federal states. Elections are also forthcoming in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the coming year.
"A System We Reject"
However, the Left seems to prosper too much to avoid conflicts. Other contentious points revolve around power, defense policy, and, connected to that, the relationship with Russia. Wiesbaden city councilor Brigitte Forßbohm expressed her views in the evening debate on Friday: "In parts of the party, I see a chronic adherence to beliefs that are increasingly detached from reality." This is particularly evident regarding questions of war and peace. "The persistent call for rearmament is being disregarded, which is due to the real cause, namely the Russian invasion of Ukraine."
A Questionable Victory
Party leader Ines Schwerdtner delivered 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 content." She argued formally: The main motion had already decided that such a scenario should not occur again. Schwerdtner beseeched the party conference not to set a precedent. This motion was rejected with 219 votes in favor, 192 against, and 39 abstentions.
In the end, all the longstanding conflicts were overshadowed, or rather, smoothed over. Loyal applause rang out for the familiar slogans. This will likely suffice for a while, particularly since the many new members probably aren't concerned with clarifying the old disputes just yet – the party has doubled its membership to over 112,000 in just 1.5 years, marking their comeback. However, will discontentment persist? A question mark hangs over the Left's success.
- Despite the unity displayed at the party conference, old conflicts resurfaced, with antisemitism, Israel, arms, and Russia being key areas of disagreement among the Left.
- In a surprising turn of events, a motion opposing the party chief's stance on antisemitism garnered a majority vote among 213 delegates at the Left Party's conference in Chemnitz, aligning the party with the controversial Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.
- The Jerusalem Declaration debate signified a deep division within the Left Party, with the majority viewing it as an opportunity to refute accusations of antisemitism, while others argue that the declaration trivialized antisemitism and sidelined their proposal.
- The Israel-related conflict and the Middle East debate have been simmering in the party for some time, leading to the departure of several prominent members, including former Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer, who may have little reason to return following the recent controversy surrounding federal board member Ulrike Eifler's controversial post on X.
