Life Comes Full Circle: The Left Party's Comfortable Position Rocked
The progressive side appears to be unduly advantaged, seemingly unyielding in their convictions.
By Hubertus Volmer, Chemnitz
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The Left Party's congress in Chemnitz was shrouded in tension, underlined by age-old disputes: antisemitism and Israel, warfare, and Russia. Even governing isn't self-evident for every Leftist.
What was intended to be a harmonious gathering turned chaotic towards the end. Remnants of old conflicts resurfaced, challenging the party leadership. Despite van Aken's worries, a resolution that aligns the Left Party with the so-called Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism was approved by a close margin: 213 delegates voted in favor.
Comments like "A fatal resolution" from party member Katharina König on Bluesky highlight the gravity of the situation. This decision means that "the Left Party no longer stands for #againstEveryAntisemitism."
Parlisment Van Aken's Perspective: Left Party Leader Acknowledges Merz's Journey: "Shall Be Continued"
The Jerusalem Declaration is controversial, making van Aken's opposition to the motion understandable. Expert opinions label this declaration as a trivialization of antisemitism. The proposers disagree, emphasizing their motion was needlessly downgraded to committees once more.
Disagreement Among Equals: Jan van Aken vs. Özel Demirel-Böhlke
Jan van Aken argues that The Left found a workable compromise on the Middle East issue in the previous congress in Halle. Van Aken's principle opponent, MEP Demirel-Böhlke, strongly disagrees. Demirel-Böhlke contends there is no debate, only opposing definitions: the Jerusalem Declaration versus the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Demirel-Böhlke suggests that claims of criticism against the Israeli government being classified as antisemitism are controversial but receives strong applause. The digital vote results in 183 followers of van Aken's stance—not enough. 40 abstain as dozens of delegates are absent at the time.
The Definition Conundrum
The debate encapsulates an underlying discussion that permeated the entire congress. A few delegates appear with kuffiyehs to express solidarity with the Palestinian population.
Such gestures, not limited to Katharina König, raise indignation among other socialists on Bluesky. It's not about definitions, writes former MP Martina Renner. Instead, it's about being able to absolve individuals and groups from antisemitic charges to continue cooperating. The Jerusalem Declaration makes no mention of denying Israel's right to exist being antisemitic.
The debate over Israel and the Middle East conflict has long prevailed in the party, skewing increasingly against Israel. Notable members have already parted ways due to this, including former Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer. He might find little motivation to return, as party executive member Ulrike Eifler recently posted a disputable map of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank on X. 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."
A Comprehensive Middle East Resolution
In Chemnitz, the party executive had negotiated a Middle East resolution meant to quell the waters. It merely acknowledges Israel's alleged commission of genocide in Gaza Strip, steering clear of making such an accusation itself.
During the debate, delegate Hana Qetinaj from Frankfurt am Main contends, "The Israeli government and its enforcers must be held accountable." The Left Party has lost credibility in this matter, she argues, due to "false relativization during a genocide." With the approval of the party executive, the paper receives a clear majority.
Same Disputes, New Stages
The Israel dispute and the antisemitism definition were just two aspects of the Left's ongoing conflict, which erupted in Chemnitz. The congress was meant to be a celebration, yet old disputes persisted. The delegates celebrated their return in the federal election and assured each other that their winning streak would continue in the upcoming elections.
"A leftist mayor for Berlin, that's a goal," party leader Heidi Reichinnek said in her speech. There are elections in September in North Rhine-Westphalia, in March 2026 in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, and many others in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the upcoming year.
"A System We Reject"
But success seems to have its drawbacks, as the Left Party avoids conflicts. Criticism came from various sides, including concerns about the relationship to power, defense policy, and Russia. A delegate from Hesse stated during the evening debate that she sees parts of the party clinging to beliefs "that are increasingly detached from reality." The repeated calls for rearmament are being ignored, she pointed out, a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
While such perspectives don't represent the majority within the Left Party, they were still unexpectedly expressed. In a surprising vote, the conference unanimously rejected the reintroduction of conscription and other compulsory services.
Controversy Regarding State Government Involvement
A motion demanding the resignation of Left Party ministers and senators in the state governments of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern generated applause. "We are accountable to our class and the people, and we have no responsibility towards a system we reject," a supporter explained. Behind this is the rejection of "war credits," with various speakers drawing parallels to 1914. However, some view general opposition to government participation "under capitalist conditions" as a minority perspective.
A Shadow Over Success
The old conflicts were ultimately overshadowed in Chemnitz. Reliable applause was given to familiar slogans. However, the lingering dissent casts doubt on the Left Party's eventual success.
- Despite the close margin, the Left Party's congress in Chemnitz passed a resolution that aligns the party with the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, causing concerns among some delegates about the party's stance against antisemitism.
- The Left Party's Israel and Middle East policy continues to be a source of dispute within the party, with some delegates expressing solidarity with the Palestinian population and others questioning the party's handling of the conflict.
- The Left Party's success in the federal election was celebrated at the congress, but it was also criticized for avoiding conflicts and maintaining distance from power, with some delegates advocating for rearmament in light of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
- The resolution demanding the resignation of Left Party ministers and senators in state governments generated applause, reflecting the ongoing disagreement within the party over government participation and accountability.
