In Germany, political parties are accelerating their preparations for the early federal elections scheduled for 23 February. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a new leftist party set to participate in its first federal election, finalized its election program during a party conference in Bonn.

The conference began with a short film displayed on the screen behind the lectern. It featured black-and-white photographs from the 1981 peace demonstration in Bonn’s Hofgarten, where hundreds of thousands protested against NATO’s Dual-Track Decision. “History was written here. We are continuing it,” the film declared.

The Dual-Track Decision involved NATO’s plan to modernize its nuclear arsenal by deploying U.S. Cruise Missiles and Pershing II missiles in Europe while simultaneously pursuing arms control negotiations with the USSR. If successful, these negotiations would render the missile deployments unnecessary.

‘Hamburg opposition’ to Wagenknecht excluded from the conference

Katja Wolf, Thuringia’s co-chairwoman and occasional critic of BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht, addressed the conference. She praised the party’s achievements as “absolutely impressive” and described the BSW as the “last democratic hope,” particularly in eastern Germany. Wolf expressed satisfaction with the “respectable” results in Thuringia, despite occasional tensions between the federal executive committee and the state organization.

However, the situation was different for the so-called “BSW rebels” from Hamburg. This group had recently protested the party’s strict admission policies, spoken to the media, and established their own regional association. As a result, the federal executive committee moved to expel members Dijan Lazic and Norbert Weber. Although their membership rights had already been revoked, Lazic and Weber traveled to Bonn for what Lazic termed “peace talks.” According to the Berliner Zeitung, security denied them entry, and they were surrounded by a crowd of journalists and cameramen.

The departure of Torsten Teichert, a former SPD and Left Party member from Hamburg and one of the BSW’s founders, also unsettled the party. In a letter addressed to “dear Sahra,” Teichert accused Wagenknecht of “deceiving herself and others” and secretly sympathizing with AfD ideas. He claimed that Wagenknecht was “causing a new split on the left” and argued that leftists who rejected smugness would have to become “modern conservatives.”

The AfD: A target for speakers

Despite internal tensions, the conference proceeded harmoniously, as the party leadership had hoped. The election program was approved by a large majority of the 600 members present. Key demands included the resumption of Russian gas supplies via the Nord Stream pipeline, the reintroduction of a wealth tax, a minimum pension, and a ban on mobile phones in primary schools. Additionally, the party executive board passed an urgent motion to recognize the newly established Peace, Reason, and Justice Foundation as a party-affiliated organization.

According to the Berliner Zeitung, the BSW aims to focus on swing voters during the election campaign, particularly those considering the AfD but not yet part of its core electorate. This strategy likely explains the aggressive criticism of the AfD by many speakers at the conference.

The debate between AfD chancellor candidate Alice Weidel and American billionaire Elon Musk appeared to galvanize the BSW. Secretary General Christian Leye labeled the AfD as “useful idiots of the system,” arguing that their policies serve corporations and the wealthy due to Musk’s support. Co-chair Amira Mohamed Ali remarked, “They especially hate us,” referring to the far-right competition.

Oliver Ruhnert, Berlin’s top candidate and former manager of football club Union Berlin, drew parallels between the AfD and the neo-Nazi NPD.

Mountaineer: U.S. troops and nuclear weapons out!

BSW Bundestag member Sevim Dağdelen called for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and nuclear weapons from Germany. “We can no longer afford 37,000 U.S. soldiers in Germany. That’s why we say: Let the Yanks go home,” she declared. Dağdelen also opposed the deployment of U.S. medium-range missiles in Germany, stating, “We don’t want a war against Russia from German soil; we want peace with Russia.” Her speech earned applause from the delegates.

“The vassalage of German governments to the U.S. must finally come to an end,” Dağdelen argued, emphasizing that Germany “deserves sovereignty.”

Wagenknecht slams AfD: ‘Weidel is Musk’s fangirl’

In her speech, Wagenknecht reflected positively on her party’s first year, describing it as a source of pride. She highlighted the BSW’s emphasis on peace in coalition agreements in Brandenburg and Thuringia. Addressing critics, she said, “Your anger honors us; your anger encourages us.”

Wagenknecht acknowledged the challenges of the election campaign for a young party, noting that many voters would cast tactical ballots. However, she expressed confidence that the BSW would secure seats in the Bundestag in its first election.

She criticized AfD leader Alice Weidel’s proposal to allocate 5% of GDP to armaments, calling it “arming for Donald [Trump].” Wagenknecht also mocked Weidel’s relationship with Musk, labeling her a “submissive fan” of the billionaire.

‘Sanctions serve American interests, not Ukraine’

Wagenknecht argued that Germany needs affordable energy, not empty campaign promises. She accused the Greens of being “nauseatingly war-drunk” and criticized the German government’s alliance with the United States. According to her, the economic sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine were not motivated by morality or human rights but by U.S. economic interests.

“The sanctions are an economic stimulus program for the U.S. economy and a murder program for German and European companies,” she claimed. Wagenknecht urged Germany to prioritize the lowest energy prices over ideology or double standards.

BSW aims to revive the ‘German model’

The party’s election program focuses on restoring economic prosperity through the “German model”—a social market economy with a strong SME sector, successful industrial companies, and social cohesion. Wagenknecht told RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), “Thirty years ago, many things worked better in Germany than they do today.”

The program pledges to preserve Germany’s industrial value creation, automotive production, export-oriented engineering, and medium-sized world market leaders. It also proposes transforming state-supported companies into “innovation-friendly association companies” and creating an industry fund to support start-ups with patient capital.

The BSW advocates for consumer relief measures, including the abolition of VAT on basic foodstuffs and a nationwide repair bonus. It also calls for higher taxes on large fortunes and incomes well above the average, while offering tax relief for gross incomes up to €90,000 annually. Additional proposals include abolishing statutory health insurance contributions and increasing pensions by €120 per month to offset inflation.

Closing speech by Lafontaine

Oskar Lafontaine, the 81-year-old former SPD and Left Party politician, delivered the conference’s closing speech, which ended half an hour early. He emphasized the importance of Russian energy for German industry and criticized the US for its role in the Nord Stream pipeline explosion. “Russia is a war criminal, but we shouldn’t buy gas from the U.S. either,” he argued.

Lafontaine highlighted the BSW’s unique stance on peace, disarmament, and social justice. He dismissed Weidel’s armaments proposal, accusing her of poor calculations, and condemned the Gaza tragedy as “Western nihilism.”