Left-wing politician Dietmar Bartsch rejected suggestions that his party should be equated with the AfD, and strongly opposed the call for a “firewall” to be erected between the Left party and other political factions. While Bartsch conceded that the AfD should rightfully face such restrictions, he stated this while appearing on the ntv program “Blome & Pfeffer.”
Responding to demands from the SPD and the Greens for a barrier against the Left in Berlin, Bartsch stated firmly, “I logically do not share that view at all. Furthermore, this would imply that the Union and the SPD-who have truly failed-should govern together with the help of the Greens.” He argued that this scenario was completely incorrect, noting that “the Union has ruled in recent years, and all the problems lie with them.”
From Bartsch’s perspective, the arguments used against the Left are primarily intended “to prevent the Left from putting Elif Eralp in the position of Governing Mayor.” He defended the possibility of collaboration between the Left, the SPD, and the Greens, adding, “Thank goodness the parties decide this, the SPD and the Greens. We shall see how it turns out.”
