Leading politicians from the CDU/CSU alliance have ruled out any possibility of cooperation with The Left Party, both nationally and within the various federal states. This hardening stance follows a controversial declaration by the party’s new leader, Luigi Pantisano, who had, during the Left Party convention, accused the CDU of promoting “fascist politics.” While Pantisano later offered a half-hearted apology, the criticism has intensified.
Several members of the governing bloc are warning about the radical direction of the party. CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann told the “Bild-Zeitung” that “The Left is radicalizing at a breathtaking pace.” He cited a deep issue of antisemitism within the party, noting that its youth organization glorifies dictators such as Stalin. Linnemann concluded that “anyone who so rigorously questions the fundamental pillars of our democratic basic order cannot be a CDU partner.”
Echoing this strong sentiment, Roman Poseck, the Interior Minister of Hesse (CDU), stated that the specific accusations “cross all boundaries,” adding that “with Mr. Pantisano, all measure has been lost.” Poseck argued that this exposed the “true face” of the Left, emphasizing that far-left extremism is no less dangerous than far-right extremism. Therefore, he asserted that the CDU must maintain a sufficient distance from all extreme forces, including the AfD and The Left.
Wider criticism came from non-partisan figures as well. Wolfram Weimer, a Kulturstaatsminister in the Chancellery and close associate to Friedrich Merz, strongly criticized the party for profiling its origins as that of a renamed SED (East German communist party). According to Weimer, claiming that the democratic center of the republic was fascist signals that the party has abandoned any claim to “democratic integrity.” He also highlighted the intolerable level of open antisemitism within the group, concluding that the SED-Left Party is essentially walling itself off.
Stephan Mayer, a CSU interior expert, offered unequivocal support for this stance, stating that cooperation with The Left is impossible, regionally or federally, and that the controversial remarks must result in consequences. Mayer suggested that The Left should not be considered a potential coalition partner but rather an “observation subject” for the constitutional protection agencies.
However, not all politicians shared this absolute view. Sven Eppinger (CDU), a Member of Parliament in Saxony and head of the conservative Heimatunion, made a distinction between the party as a whole and its local presence. He characterized The Left nationally as “totalitarian, antisemitic, communist with a hint of Stalinism, and at least far-left.” Yet, he asserted that at the state level, there are “relatively reasonable people.” Eppinger stated he does not rule out cooperation and welcomed any reasonable citizen who wishes to contribute to the welfare of the German people, specifically in Saxony, inviting participation even from the AfD.
