Heidi Reichinnek, the leader of the Left parliamentary group, defends the use of sharp, concise statements and even interruptions as a legitimate tool in political debate, including on social media. When asked by the Spiegel what distinguishes left‑wing politics from right‑wing populism, she said, “What matters are the contents behind the messages. We work with facts and can substantiate everything we say. Of course our criticism can be harsh, but we do not insult anyone or look down on people”.
Reichinnek noted that ordinary people are not engaged with politics all the time, so she must find a way to reach them. “I have to ask myself how I can bring my ideas to them” she explained. “That’s why I frame problems narrowly – what I see as an issue – and I also give a concise solution”. She added that it is important to make it clear that many issues, such as affordable housing, cannot be resolved with a simple gesture or a single policy switch. “Problems don’t appear overnight, and they rarely disappear overnight”.
She also defended the right of her colleagues in the Bundestag to interrupt and to use strong language in the chamber. “Why do we call for order?” she asked. “One of our members shouted the word ‘lie’ because it was indeed a lie uttered at the podium”. Reichinnek went on, “Sometimes you really have to call out a Nazi in Parliament, especially when they spread hateful nonsense, demean others, and dehumanise people”.
