The Left is focusing its state election campaign in Baden‑Württemberg on directly addressing voters with a migration background in their native languages. According to the ”Bild” (Friday edition), party leader Jan van Aken has rehearsed greetings and short messages in Turkish, Italian, Greek, Bosnian, and Arabic and even worked with a language coach to polish his delivery.
As a result, a series of video clips will be released gradually on social media platforms. The first clip went live on Instagram on Tuesday. In it, van Aken speaks Italian, urging support for affordable housing and encouraging voters to back the Left in the March 8 state election.
The party says this targeted approach stems from conversations-often conducted right at the front door-where many people with a migration history felt invisible in politics after decades. Van Aken told the newspaper, “We’ve seen in many talks, including those on doorstep level, that a lot of people with a migration background feel politically unseen after years. A ‘Hallo’ in Turkish or a ‘let’s stay in touch’ in Italian is a huge door‑opener for the hearts of many who otherwise feel disconnected from politics or who have lower expectations”. He added that a respectful approach means addressing potential voters in their own language.
Nation‑wide polling currently places the party at roughly 7 %, comfortably above the 5 % threshold. According to a recent Insa Meinungstrend poll, the Left’s support is 12 % among respondents with a migration background and 10 % among those without.
