Debate Sparks at the Last Minute: The Left's Cohesive Stance Disrupted
The political left, evidently, exhibits an excessive level of advocacy.
By Hubertus Volmer, Chemnitz
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The Left Party's convention in Chemnitz was slated to be a harmonious event, and for the most part, it was. However, lingering disagreements resurfaced, stirring debates on topics like antisemitism, Israel, armament, and Russia. Even the party's governing status didn't escape dispute.
In the end, the Left Party's leadership suffered a humbling defeat. A motion that party head Jan van Aken explicitly opposed still garnered a narrow majority: 213 delegates voted for an endorsement of the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.
Although this may seem inconsequential, it's a scandal, even if it didn't seem that way during the hectic congress atmosphere. Thuringia's Left Party state parliamentarian Katharina König commented on Bluesky, "A damaging resolution. This means the majority has decided that the Left Party no longer stands for #againstEveryAntisemitism."
The Jerusalem Declaration remains controversial, and van Aken opposed the motion for valid reasons. Some experts see this declaration as trivializing antisemitism. The proposers reject this but are upset that their motion was repeatedly referred to committees without proper discussion.
A Narrow Victory for the Declaration
Van Aken argues that the Left Party hit a satisfactory compromise at the previous year's Halle congress regarding middle-east positioning. The proposers find this insufficient. They want to "establish clear content to refute defamatory accusations" against the Left Party.
Van Aken makes a brief counter-argument but refrains from delving deep into the issue due to time constraints. "I'm not in favor of ending a scholarly debate through a party congress resolution; we can't do that," he notes.
Left Party MEP Özel Demirel-Böhlke vigorously opposes van Aken, asserting that there's no academic debate on the issue, only two competing definitions: the Jerusalem Declaration and IHRA. Demirel-Böhlke claims that, based on IHRA standards, any criticism of the Israeli government could be labeled as antisemitism. This is disputable, but she receives strong support. In the digital vote, 183 delegates support van Aken's appeal, but it's not enough. 40 abstain, and many delegates are no longer present at this point.
Shifting Perspectives on Definition and Cooperation
The controversy echoed an underlying debate that permeated the entire congress. Several delegates wore keffiyehs to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
While Katharina König and numerous leftists are displeased on Bluesky, it's about definitions for some and the ability to absolve parties and individuals of antisemitism allegations for continued cooperation, according to former MP Martina Renner on the platform. It's worth noting that the Jerusalem Declaration does not imply that denying Israel's right to exist is antisemitic.
The dispute over dealing with Israel and the Middle East conflict has persisted within the party for a while, and it has increasingly favored Israel. The Left has already lost several prominent members over this, including former Berlin cultural senator Klaus Lederer. He may see little reason to return: On Tuesday, Left party federal board member Ulrike Eifler posted a map of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank on X, where Israel's borders were not recognizable. 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 the elimination of Israel." (For more information, see here).
A Compromise Paper on the Middle East
In Chemnitz, the party executive had already negotiated a Middle East resolution intended to calm nerves. It merely mentions the accusation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, without explicitly leveling the accusation. The resolution received a clear majority with the support of the party executive.
During this debate, delegate Hana Qetinaj from Frankfurt am Main, one of the proposers, stated, "The Israeli government and its associates must be held accountable." The Left has lost credibility on this issue, Qetinaj complaints. "A false relativization during a genocide does not do justice to what is happening there." The paper receives a clear majority with the party executive's endorsement.
Familiar Disputes Raised Again
Relationship with Israel and the debate over antisemitism definitions were only two aspects of the left's ongoing conflict that resurfaced in Chemnitz. The convention was supposed to symbolize harmony, and for the most part, it did. The delegates rejoiced in their return to federal politics and assured each other that their winning streak in elections would continue next year.
"Berlin's first left mayor, that's a goal," faction leader Heidi Reichinnek said during her speech on Friday. She detailed upcoming elections: communal elections in North Rhine-Westphalia in September, state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate in March 2026. The Left has never been in parliament in both federal states, and the party leadership hopes that will change. State elections are also coming up in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the coming year.
"A system we reject"
However, the Left seems to be thriving too much to avoid disagreements. On other contentious points, it's about the relationship with power, defense policy, and, by extension, the relationship with Russia. A delegate from Hesse stated during the evening debate that she sees "a chronic clinging to beliefs that are increasingly detached from reality" in parts of the party, especially regarding questions of war and peace. "The repeated call for rearmament is overlooked, which has a real cause, namely the Russian invasion of Ukraine."
While not the majority, such positions are far from rare among the Left. It's still surprising to witness such opinions being publicly expressed. On Saturday, the party conference unanimously rejected the reintroduction of conscription and other compulsory services.
A motion criticizing the actions of Left Party ministers and senators in the state governments of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern garnered much 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 "war credits," with several speakers drawing parallels to 1914. However, the general rejection of government participation "under capitalist conditions" is also at play—a sentiment that likely appeals to only a minority. But it is present and audible.
Uncertain Success Ahead
In response to the motion against the state associations of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, party leader Ines Schwerdtner delivered a counter-argument. "Dear comrade, I agree with everything you've said in substance." She argued formally: The main motion already decided that such a case should not happen again. Schwerdtner urged the party conference not to "set a precedent." This motion was rejected with 219 to 192 votes and 39 abstentions.
Overall, all the long-standing disagreements were overshadowed—one could say, papered over. There was reliable applause for familiar slogans. This should hold weight for a while, especially since many new members are unlikely to be interested in resolving past disputes. But in the long run? The Left's success remains uncertain.
Source: ntv.de
- The Left Party
- Chemnitz
- Party Conference
- Jan van Aken
- Antisemitism
- Israel
- Anti-Semitism
Enrichment Data:
The search results do not provide specific information about the Left Party's stance on the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism or its impact on the party's internal dynamics. However, I can offer some general insights into how such declarations can influence political parties:
- Definitions of Antisemitism: The IHRA definition of antisemitism is widely recognized but has faced criticism for its breadth and potential impact on free speech, particularly in discussions involving Israel and Palestine.
- Political Dynamics: Political parties often navigate complex issues like antisemitism, balancing various viewpoints within their membership. The stance on such declarations can affect internal dynamics by aligning with or diverging from party ideologies and member beliefs.
- Potential for Controversy: The adoption or rejection of antisemitism definitions can lead to internal debates and conflicts within parties, especially if some members view these definitions as limiting free speech or others see them as essential for combating antisemitism.
- The Left Party's convention in Chemnitz was marked by debates over various topics, including antisemitism, Israel, armament, and Russia, with a particular focus on the resolution supporting the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.
- Although the Left Party's leadership advocated against the endorsement of the Jerusalem Declaration, a narrow majority of delegates still voted in favor, causing controversy and allegations of the party's lack of commitment to #againstEveryAntisemitism.
- The Jerusalem Declaration has been criticized for potentially trivializing antisemitism, with experts and members within the Left Party expressing concerns about the negative impact it could have on their ability to cooperate and refute antisemitism allegations.
- Despite the passionate debate and disagreements, the Left Party has a busy year ahead with elections in various states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. These elections may test the Party's cohesion and ability to overcome internal disagreements.
