Heidi Reichinnek, the group leader of the Die Linke party in the Bundestag, rejected accusations that her party suffers from antisemitism. Speaking to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Reichinnek stated, “Solidarity with Palestine is not antisemitism”. She added that while there is a problem with antisemitism in society, it would be an overstatement to suggest that her party is blameless. “Antisemitism does exist within Die Linke, but I reject the accusation that it is particularly prevalent among us”.
Reichinnek clarified the party’s red lines: “The right to existence of Israel is non-negotiable, and we will not tolerate antisemitism in any form”. She noted that the party leadership consistently makes this clear. Nonetheless, she stressed that the party must maintain an “open exchange” especially on such difficult issues, because a “black-and-white view” on the topic is unworkable.
The group leader recounted that at the party conference in Halle, Die Linke passed a “clear resolution”: “We stand with the people in Israel and Palestine who are committed to an autonomous life in peace and freedom, and thus support a two-state solution. We condemn Hamas on one hand as a terrorist organization that must be disarmed, yet simultaneously state that the Israeli government commits war crimes in Gaza. The struggle of the Palestinians for freedom and the fight against antisemitism are two sides of the same coin”. She concluded by stating that the party executive board will introduce a motion on the Middle East at the next national conference in June, and she is confident it will pass by a large majority.
Regarding the Alternative for Germany (AfD), Reichinnek expressed the feeling that there is a growing willingness among people in the CDU to “try out the AfD”. She suggested that the Union party must confront the question: “Tell me, how do you feel about democracy?” She suggested that some voters are turning to the AfD because they are “deeply disappointed with established politics” including that of Die Linke.
However, Reichinnek strongly refuted the idea that all AfD voters are right-wing extremists, wish to abolish democracy, or hold racist views. “I am convinced that not all people who vote for the AfD are right-wing extremists, want to abolish democracy, or have racist views” she insisted. Instead, she believes they are “desperate because everything is getting more expensive, but wages or pensions are not rising, and politics is not improving the situation. Therefore, they vote for the party that presents itself as a protest force”. She then pivoted, asserting that the AfD itself belongs to the establishment it supposedly opposes. “Who receives large donations from wealthy donors? Who has established actual clan structures to employ family members? The AfD is full of flunkies, and all these people in the party are only concerned with enriching themselves. This must be conveyed to the people much more clearly than before”.
Concerning the withdrawal of Jan van Akens from the party leadership, Reichinnek voiced her pleasure that the current deputy group leader, Luigi Pantisano, is ready to run as his successor. She said, “Working with him, especially last year, was more than trusting. He is also fighting for wages and good working conditions-from the doorstep to the factory gate, which I consider a good combination. If the party gives him its trust, he will succeed”.
