Germany’s socialist Die Linke, or Left Party, has experienced a significant rise in the polls leading up to Sunday’s elections, buoyed by a powerful speech denouncing fascism delivered by its leader.
The Left Party, with historical ties to East Germany’s communist ruling party, is poised to comfortably surpass the 5% threshold required to secure seats in parliament, according to the latest polls.
The party's momentum can be attributed to the impassioned address given by its emerging leader, Heidi Reichinnek, earlier this year. In her speech, Reichinnek urged citizens to stand firm against fascism and resist far-right ideologies, particularly targeting the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its allies.
Reichinnek's call to action, punctuated by a declaration of 'To the barricades!' and a display of a tattoo depicting Rosa Luxemburg, a symbol of the revolutionary left, resonated strongly with supporters. The speech, which garnered over 6.5 million views on TikTok, galvanized a wave of support for Die Linke.
The party's surge follows a controversial move by Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who sought AfD support to pass a migration-related motion, breaching a longstanding political taboo. This alliance with the far-right prompted widespread protests in Germany, leading to a shift in public sentiment.
Since this pivotal event, Die Linke has witnessed a notable increase in backing. Recent polling by YouGov indicates a rise in support, with the party now polling at 9%, up from figures below the 5% threshold just weeks ago.
