What is Die Linke, and when was it founded?

Die Linke, meaning 'The Left', is a democratic socialist political party in Germany. It was founded on June 16, 2007, as a result of the merger between the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) and Labour and Social Justice – The Electoral Alternative (WASG).

What is the historical lineage of Die Linke through its predecessor parties?

Through its predecessor, the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), Die Linke is the direct descendant of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), which was the Marxist-Leninist ruling party of former East Germany. The PDS itself emerged from the SED following reforms in late 1989.

Who are the current co-chairpersons of Die Linke as of October 2024?

As of October 2024, the co-chairpersons of Die Linke are Ines Schwerdtner and Jan van Aken.

How many seats does Die Linke hold in the German Bundestag following the 2025 federal election?

Following the 2025 German federal election, Die Linke holds 64 seats out of 630 in the Bundestag.

Who are the parliamentary co-leaders of Die Linke in the Bundestag?

The parliamentary co-leaders of Die Linke in the Bundestag are Heidi Reichinnek and Sören Pellmann.

In which German states does Die Linke currently have representation in the state legislatures?

As of 2025, Die Linke is represented in seven of Germany's sixteen state legislatures.

In which states does Die Linke participate in government coalitions?

Die Linke participates in governments in the states of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a junior partner.

What was Die Linke's role in the Thuringia government between 2014 and 2024?

From 2014 to 2024, Die Linke led a coalition government in Thuringia with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and The Greens, with Bodo Ramelow serving as Minister-President.

What are the primary ideologies associated with Die Linke?

Die Linke advocates for democratic socialism and is known for its promotion of left-wing populism and antimilitarism.

What was the predecessor to the PDS, and what was its political stance?

The predecessor to the PDS was the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), which was the ruling Marxist-Leninist party of East Germany.

How did the PDS attempt to rebrand itself after the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the replacement of Erich Honecker, the SED replaced its leadership, expelled former hardliners, negotiated with opposition groups, and added 'Party of Democratic Socialism' to its name, aiming for a pro-democratic, socialist image.

What was the outcome of the 1990 East German general election for the PDS?

The PDS was decisively defeated in the 1990 East German general election, finishing third with 16.4% of the vote, and was largely excluded from subsequent political developments due to its association with the former regime.

How did the PDS perform in federal elections during the 1990s?

After a modest 2.4% nationwide showing in the 1990 federal election, the PDS gained popularity as a protest party in eastern states, winning 5.1% of the vote in the 1998 federal election, which secured them seats outright.

What challenges did the PDS face despite its electoral successes in the eastern states?

Despite electoral successes in the east, the PDS faced internal ideological disputes, a decline in membership, and a near-complete lack of support in the western states.

What was the 'red socks' campaign in the 1994 federal election?

The 'red socks' campaign was used by the center-right parties, including the CDU/CSU and FDP, in the 1994 federal election to discourage a potential red-red-green coalition (SPD-PDS-Greens). The PDS later reinterpreted this campaign for its own use by printing red socks.

What was WASG founded in opposition to?

WASG (Labour and Social Justice – The Electoral Alternative) was founded in opposition to Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's Agenda 2010 reforms concerning labor and welfare.

What electoral pact did the PDS and WASG agree upon before their merger?

The PDS and WASG agreed to an electoral pact where they would not run against each other in direct constituencies, would create joint electoral lists, and planned to unify into a single party in 2007.

Who joined WASG in June 2005, significantly boosting the alliance's profile?

Oskar Lafontaine, a former federal Minister of Finance who had left the SPD, joined WASG in June 2005, becoming the party's lead candidate for the federal election and sharing the spotlight with Gregor Gysi.

What controversial statement did Oskar Lafontaine make during the 2005 campaign?

During the 2005 campaign, Oskar Lafontaine described 'Fremdarbeiter' (foreign workers) as a threat to German labor, a term associated with the Nazi regime. He claimed to have misspoken, but critics accused him of appealing to xenophobic and far-right voters.

What was the result of the 2005 federal election for the Left.PDS alliance?

In the 2005 federal election, the Left.PDS easily passed the electoral threshold, winning 8.7% of the vote and 53 seats, becoming the fourth-largest party in the Bundestag.

What was the political outcome of the 2005 federal election in terms of coalition formation?

The 2005 election resulted in a grand coalition between the CDU/CSU and the SPD, as the left-wing parties (SPD, Greens, Left.PDS) held a majority but the SPD was unwilling to cooperate with the Left.PDS.

When was the formal merger of PDS and WASG finalized, and what was the new party named?

The formal merger was agreed upon on March 27, 2007, and the new party was named 'The Left' (Die Linke).

Who were elected as the first co-leaders of Die Linke in June 2007?

Lothar Bisky and Oskar Lafontaine were elected as the first co-leaders of Die Linke at its founding congress in June 2007.

How did Die Linke perform in state elections in western Germany during 2007-2008?

Die Linke became a significant force in western Germany for the first time, surpassing the electoral threshold in Bremen in 2007 and winning seats in Lower Saxony, Hesse, and Hamburg throughout 2008.

What was Die Linke's performance in the 2009 federal election?

In the 2009 federal election, Die Linke's vote surged to 11.9%, increasing its Bundestag representation from 54 to 76 seats, with a notable breakthrough in the western states (8.3%).

Which states saw Die Linke win seats for the first time in 2009?

In 2009, Die Linke won seats for the first time in the state parliaments of Schleswig-Holstein and Saarland.

What happened to Die Linke's leadership in early 2010?

In January 2010, Oskar Lafontaine announced he would not seek re-election due to cancer treatment. In May 2010, Lothar Bisky also stepped down, and Klaus Ernst and Gesine Lötzsch were elected as the new co-leaders.

Why did Die Linke refuse to support Joachim Gauck in the 2010 presidential election?

Die Linke refused to support Joachim Gauck, highlighting his support for the War in Afghanistan and his criticisms of their party, despite the SPD and Greens suggesting it was an opportunity for Die Linke to distance itself from its communist past.

How did the SPD and Greens react to Die Linke's stance on Joachim Gauck in the 2010 presidential election?

The SPD and Greens reacted with disappointment. SPD chairman Sigmar Gabriel called Die Linke's position 'bizarre and embarrassing' and expressed shock at their opposition to Gauck due to his investigation of GDR injustices.

What was Die Linke's position in the 2012 presidential election?

Die Linke was isolated in the 2012 presidential election, excluded from all-party consensus discussions. They nominated Beate Klarsfeld, an anti-fascist journalist, who received 10.2% of the delegate votes, while Gauck was elected.

What electoral setbacks did Die Linke experience between 2011 and 2013?

Between 2011 and 2013, Die Linke suffered a string of setbacks, failing to win seats in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg, losing seats in Bremen, Berlin, and Saarland, and crucially losing its seats in the Landtags of Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony.

What was Die Linke's best state election result to date, and where did it occur?

Die Linke's best state election result occurred in the 2014 Thuringian state election, where they achieved 28.2% and formed the first coalition led by one of their own members, with Bodo Ramelow becoming Minister-President.

How did Die Linke perform in the 2017 federal election?

In the 2017 federal election, Die Linke fell to fifth place due to the re-entry of the FDP and the rise of the AfD. Despite substantial losses in the east, they made a net gain nationally, rising to 9.2% of votes.

What was Die Linke's result in the 2019 European Parliament election?

Die Linke declined to 5.5% in the 2019 European Parliament election, marking their worst result in a national election since the party's formation.

What significant event occurred in Thuringia in February 2020 related to government formation?

In February 2020, the FDP's Thomas Kemmerich was elected Minister-President with AfD and CDU support, but immediately resigned due to outrage. Following a government crisis, Bodo Ramelow was re-elected to lead a minority government.

Who were elected as the new co-chairs of Die Linke in February 2021?

Janine Wissler and Susanne Hennig-Wellsow were elected as the new co-chairs of Die Linke on February 27, 2021.

What was Die Linke's electoral performance in the 2021 federal election?

Die Linke won 4.9% of votes and 39 seats in the 2021 federal election, its worst showing since formation, narrowly failing to cross the 5% threshold but retaining proportional representation due to winning three direct constituencies.

What internal strife did Die Linke experience after the 2021 federal election?

After the 2021 election, Die Linke faced internal strife, including the loss of all seats in the 2022 Saarland state election, conflicts involving Oskar Lafontaine, reports of sexism in the Hesse branch, and the resignation of Susanne Hennig-Wellsow as co-leader.

How did the Russian invasion of Ukraine highlight divisions within Die Linke?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine exposed fault lines, with the leadership taking a pro-Ukrainian stance while the faction around Sahra Wagenknecht opposed sanctions against Russia.

What led to the dissolution of Die Linke's official faction in the Bundestag in December 2023?

The secession of Sahra Wagenknecht and nine other Bundestag members to form the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) pushed Die Linke below the minimum membership required for an official faction, leading to its dissolution on December 6, 2023.

What was Die Linke's worst result in a nationwide election, and when did it occur?

Die Linke suffered its worst nationwide election result in the 2024 European elections, securing only 2.7% of the vote and three seats.

What were the results of the September 2024 state elections for Die Linke?

In the September 2024 state elections, Die Linke suffered major defeats, falling below 5% in Brandenburg and Saxony, and being reduced to fourth place in Thuringia with 13%.

Who were elected as the new co-leaders of Die Linke in October 2024?

Ines Schwerdtner and Jan van Aken were elected as the new co-leaders of Die Linke in October 2024.

What was Die Linke's performance in the 2025 federal election?

In the 2025 federal election, Die Linke won 8.8% of the vote and 64 seats, their best result since 2017, showing an unexpected rise in support during the campaign.

Which demographic group showed the strongest support for Die Linke in the 2025 federal election?

Exit polling indicated that Die Linke was the most popular party among voters aged 18-24 in the 2025 federal election, winning 25% of this group.

What is Die Linke's position on military involvement and NATO?

Die Linke calls for international disarmament, rules out any Bundeswehr involvement outside Germany, and advocates for the withdrawal of US troops from Germany. They also propose replacing NATO with a collective security system that includes Russia.

What economic policies does Die Linke promote?

Die Linke aims to increase government spending on public investments, education, and infrastructure, while raising taxes on corporations and high earners. They also support heavier regulation of financial markets and strengthening anti-trust laws.

How does Die Linke view China's role in international politics?

The party generally takes a friendly stance towards China and has criticized EU policies that challenge China, particularly those involving military means.

What was Die Linke's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as expressed in their October 2024 party congress resolutions?

The party condemned Hamas's attack, stated that Israeli military actions should not break international law, affirmed Israel's right to exist, accused the anti-Zionist left of antisemitism, called for hostage release, demanded Germany stop arms supplies to Israel, and supported a two-state solution.

Die Linke Wiki: Die Linke: Navigating Germany's Political Spectrum

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Party Overview

Identity and Foundation

Die Linke, meaning "The Left," is a democratic socialist political party in Germany. It was officially founded on June 16, 2007, through the merger of the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) and Labour and Social Justice – The Electoral Alternative (WASG). The PDS itself is the direct successor to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), the ruling Marxist-Leninist party of former East Germany.

Current Representation

As of the latest available data (reflecting the 2025 federal election), Die Linke holds 64 seats in the German Bundestag out of 630, representing 8.8% of the vote. It is the smallest of the five parliamentary groups. The party also maintains representation in seven state legislatures and participates in coalition governments in Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a junior partner.

Leadership and Membership

The party's co-chairpersons since October 2024 are Ines Schwerdtner and Jan van Aken. Membership figures have fluctuated, with a reported 115,623 members as of June 2025, indicating a recent increase after a period of decline. The party structure includes state branches, local organizations, a youth wing (Left Youth Solid), and a student wing (The Left.SDS).

Historical Trajectory

Predecessors and Formation

Die Linke's origins trace back to the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), which evolved from the SED following German reunification. The PDS, while retaining socialist ideals, sought to distance itself from its SED past. In 2005, the formation of Labour and Social Justice – The Electoral Alternative (WASG) emerged from dissatisfaction with the SPD's Agenda 2010 reforms. The strategic alliance and subsequent merger of PDS and WASG in 2007 created Die Linke, aiming to consolidate left-wing political power.

Electoral Growth and Challenges

The party experienced significant growth in the 2000s, particularly in eastern Germany, and made breakthroughs in western states. Key moments include Oskar Lafontaine joining WASG and leading the joint list in the 2005 federal election. The party achieved notable successes, including forming the first left-wing government in Thuringia in 2014 led by Bodo Ramelow. However, internal ideological disputes, membership decline, and electoral setbacks in various states marked the subsequent years.

2005: PDS and WASG form an electoral alliance, running as "Die Linke.PDS". Oskar Lafontaine joins WASG.
2007: Formal merger of PDS and WASG to create "Die Linke". Lothar Bisky and Oskar Lafontaine elected co-leaders.
2009: Party achieves 11.9% in federal election, increasing Bundestag seats.
2014: Bodo Ramelow becomes Minister-President of Thuringia, leading a red-red-green coalition.
2017-2021: Mixed electoral results, internal strife, and leadership changes (Kipping/Riexinger to Wissler/Hennig-Wellsow).
2023-2024: Significant internal conflict culminates in Sahra Wagenknecht and allies leaving to form the BSW party, leading to the dissolution of Die Linke's Bundestag faction.
2024: Worst-ever result in European elections (2.7%).
2025: Unexpected resurgence in federal election (8.8%), winning six direct constituencies. Ines Schwerdtner and Jan van Aken elected new co-leaders.

Internal Strife and Split

Significant internal divisions, particularly regarding foreign policy (e.g., stance on Russia and the Ukraine war) and accusations of sexism, plagued the party. The departure of Sahra Wagenknecht and several other prominent members in late 2023 to found the "Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance" (BSW) marked a major split, weakening Die Linke's parliamentary presence and internal cohesion.

Ideology and Platform

Core Principles

Die Linke advocates for democratic socialism as an alternative to capitalism. Key tenets include anti-militarism, social equality, environmental justice, and radical democracy. The party encompasses a broad spectrum of left-wing thought, from communists to social democrats, unified by a commitment to social justice and state intervention for public good.

Economic Policy

The party's economic platform emphasizes increased government spending on public services, infrastructure, education, and research. It calls for higher taxes on corporations and high-income earners, increased inheritance taxes, and the reinstatement of a net worth tax. Die Linke supports stronger regulation of financial markets, robust anti-trust laws, worker cooperatives, a federal minimum wage, and opposes privatization.

Increased public investment in infrastructure, education, and culture.
Progressive income tax reform, higher corporate taxes, and wealth taxes.
Stricter regulation of financial markets and speculation.
Strengthening cooperatives and worker self-determination.
Ban on hydraulic fracturing and opposition to privatization.
Introduction of a federal minimum wage.

Foreign Policy Stance

Die Linke is staunchly anti-militarist, advocating for international disarmament and the withdrawal of foreign troops from German soil. It calls for the dissolution of NATO and its replacement with a collective security system that includes Russia. The party supports European integration but opposes neoliberal policies within the EU, advocating for institutional reform and a stronger role for the UN in global affairs. They have criticized German arms deals and military interventions.

NATO & Russia: Calls for NATO's dissolution and replacement with a collective security framework including Russia.
Military: Opposes Bundeswehr deployments outside Germany and calls for US troop withdrawal.
International Law: Criticizes violations of international law and supports diplomatic solutions.
EU Policy: Supports European integration but opposes neoliberal policies, advocating for EU institutional reform.
Development Aid: Supports debt cancellation for developing countries and increased aid via international cooperation.
Specific Conflicts: Opposed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; nuanced stance on the Russo-Ukrainian War, condemning illegal annexations while advocating for dialogue and opposing sanctions.
Israel/Palestine: Supports a two-state solution, criticizes violations of international law by all parties, and calls for cessation of arms supplies to Israel.
China: Generally takes a friendly stance, criticizing EU confrontational policies.

Party Organization

Structure and Governance

Die Linke operates through a federal structure with branches in all 16 German states. The party is governed by a Party Executive Committee (PEC), currently comprising 26 members, including two federal co-chairpersons (required to be one male, one female, ideally from different regions). A federal party congress convenes regularly to set policy and elect leadership. The party also maintains a youth wing (Left Youth Solid) and a student wing (The Left.SDS), and is affiliated with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.

Factions and Leadership

The party statutes formally recognize internal factions, which influences delegate representation at congresses. Historically, significant factions have included the "fundamental opposition" aligned with Oskar Lafontaine and the more pragmatic wing. Recent years have seen intense internal debate and conflict, notably contributing to the split with the formation of BSW. The leadership has seen frequent changes, reflecting these internal dynamics.

Position	Member(s)
Party Chair	Ines Schwerdtner Jan van Aken
Deputy Party Chair	Ates Gürpinar Luise Neuhaus-Wartenberg Sabine Ritter Maximilian Schirmer
Federal Manager Officer	Janis Ehling
Federal Treasurer	Sebastian Koch
Youth Speaker	Lisa Pfitzmann
Student Speaker	Margarita Kavali

Council of Elders

An advisory body, the Council of Elders (Ältestenrat), was established to focus on party development, allied and international issues, and the evolution of the socialist program. Its members include experienced figures from the party's history, providing guidance and perspective on long-term strategic questions.

Electoral Performance

Federal Elections

Die Linke's federal electoral history shows significant fluctuations. After the 2005 election, they became the fourth-largest party. The 2009 election saw an increase in seats, but subsequent elections (2013, 2017, 2021) generally showed declining vote shares, exacerbated by internal conflicts and the rise of other parties. The 2021 election result (4.9%) narrowly missed the threshold but secured seats due to direct constituency wins. The 2025 election marked an unexpected resurgence, achieving 8.8% and winning six direct constituencies, partly attributed to the viral impact of co-leader Heidi Reichinnek's parliamentary speeches.

European Parliament

Performance in European Parliament elections has also varied. After achieving 7.5% in 2009, the party saw a decline to 5.5% in 2019 and a historic low of 2.7% in 2024, losing seats and indicating challenges in maintaining broad appeal.

State and Local Elections

Die Linke has a stronger presence in eastern German state parliaments, often serving as a key coalition partner (e.g., in Thuringia, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). However, recent state elections have shown significant losses, including being wiped out in Hesse in 2023. The split with BSW has further impacted state-level representation and potential coalition building.

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References

Tolerating an SPDâGreen minority government.

Tolerating an SPD minority government.

Mary Elise Sarotte, 1989: The Struggle to Create Post-Cold War Europe (second edition). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2014

"Nicht wÃ¤hlbar": Linke ist gegen Gauck, n-tv, 28 June 2010

Linke verhindert Gauck, Wulff wird PrÃ¤sident, Manager Magazin

Streit Ã¼ber PrÃ¤sidentenwahl: Linke verteidigt Anti-Gauck-Kurs, Spiegel Online, 1 July 2010

Gauck-Boykott vertieft die GrÃ¤ben, n24.de

Beobachtung von Linkspartei-Politiker verboten, Welt Online, 17 January 2008, accessed 16 March 2008

Die Linke â keine GefÃ¤hrdung fÃ¼r die Verfassung, tagesschau.de, 16. January 2008, accessed 16 March 2008

Richard StÃ¶ss: Die Linke. Zur Beobachtung der Partei durch den Verfassungsschutz.

Eckhard Jesse: Die Linke

A full list of references for this article are available at the Die Linke Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. The source article itself notes a dispute regarding the neutrality of its presentation.

This is not political advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional political analysis or consultation. Always refer to official party platforms and consult with qualified political scientists or analysts for specific insights. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Die Linke: Navigating Germany's Political Spectrum

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Party Overview 🏛️

🚩 Identity and Foundation

📊 Current Representation

👥 Leadership and Membership

Historical Trajectory 📜

⬅️ Predecessors and Formation

📈 Electoral Growth and Challenges

💥 Internal Strife and Split

Ideology and Platform ⚖️

🌍 Core Principles

💰 Economic Policy

🕊️ Foreign Policy Stance

Party Organization ⚙️

🏛️ Structure and Governance

👥 Factions and Leadership

📜 Council of Elders

Electoral Performance 🗳️

🇩🇪 Federal Elections

🇪🇺 European Parliament

🏘️ State and Local Elections

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Party Overview

Identity and Foundation

Current Representation

Leadership and Membership

Historical Trajectory

Predecessors and Formation

Electoral Growth and Challenges

Internal Strife and Split

Ideology and Platform

Core Principles

Economic Policy

Foreign Policy Stance

Party Organization

Structure and Governance

Factions and Leadership

Council of Elders

Electoral Performance

Federal Elections

European Parliament

State and Local Elections

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice