Germany’s BSW proposes cooperation with AfD to break political ‘firewall’

Germany’s Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) has offered to cooperate with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), challenging the country’s long-standing “firewall” policy that prevents cooperation with the far-right party.

The proposal to dismantle the political “firewall” appears, at least in part, aimed at strengthening Wagenknecht’s party by attracting AfD voters.

In a letter dated June 26, BSW leaders wrote: “From the very beginning, BSW has criticized the ‘firewall’ erected against the AfD. It is undemocratic and solves no problems.”

The AfD continues to hold a commanding lead in opinion polls ahead of two state elections in eastern Germany scheduled for September, where BSW also enjoys pockets of support.

However, it remains uncertain whether the AfD’s polling advantage will translate into political power because other parties continue to refuse to form coalition governments with it.

BSW is now attempting to bypass that political isolation by proposing cooperation with the AfD in the two eastern states, provided the AfD agrees to appoint non-party-affiliated state premiers and govern through “changing majorities” rather than a formal coalition.

Although the proposal falls short of offering a coalition government, it could potentially help end the AfD’s political isolation.

In an interview with POLITICO, BSW co-chair Fabio De Masi described the firewall against the far right as a failure and presented cooperation with the AfD as a way to prevent the party from becoming even stronger.

“If the establishment parties continue down this path, essentially always joining forces around the lowest common denominator simply to block the AfD, it will ultimately lead to the AfD securing an absolute majority, at which point it could come to power without any checks. That is why we are trying to find a third way, one that demonstrates to voters that we are solving problems and, given that the AfD is polling at 40% in Saxony-Anhalt, recognizes that the party must be included in certain political decisions,” De Masi said.

Wagenknecht founded BSW in 2024 after leaving Die Linke, launching what she describes as a “left-conservative” movement that blurs the traditional divide between the political left and right.

While advocating traditional left-wing policies such as an expansive welfare state, the party has also adopted some anti-immigration positions and pursued a foreign policy critical of the war in Ukraine.

The new party initially surged in opinion polls but suffered a major setback in last year’s snap federal election, winning 4.98% of the vote, just below the 5% threshold required to enter parliament.

Nevertheless, BSW continues to retain support in parts of the former East Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where state elections will be held in September, the party is currently polling close to the 5% threshold needed to secure representation in the state legislatures.

The AfD is aiming to win an outright majority in both eastern states holding elections in September, which would allow it to govern without coalition partners. Polls indicate the party is close to achieving that goal in Saxony-Anhalt.

However, it is also possible that the AfD could require the support of a smaller party such as BSW to take power in one or both states.

Against that backdrop, AfD leaders have signaled they could be willing to hold talks with Wagenknecht’s party.

Daniel Tapp, spokesperson for AfD co-chair Alice Weidel, told POLITICO in a written statement: “BSW faces the challenge of clearing the 5% threshold in the upcoming state elections. If it succeeds, the AfD will, of course, be prepared to hold discussions.”

In its letter to AfD leaders, BSW also proposed a series of debates between Wagenknecht and Weidel across eastern Germany, arguing they would help circumvent what it described as Germany’s public broadcasters becoming “increasingly propaganda-oriented state media.”

Tapp rejected that proposal.

Political analysts say BSW’s attempt to win support from AfD voters by offering cooperation is unlikely to succeed.

“BSW is currently fighting for its political survival. To attract media attention, it appears willing to consider almost any strategy, including moving closer to the AfD. But AfD voters have found their political home, and they are unlikely to leave it,” Benjamin Höhne, a political scientist at Chemnitz University, said.