The founder of the BSW, Sahra Wagenknecht, has called for a government that operates with shifting parliamentary majorities and includes the participation of the AfD. Speaking to the broadcaster “Welt” on Tuesday, Wagenknecht stressed the desire for a cross-party Prime Minister capable of reunifying the country. She fiercely rejected the notion of a “firewall” politically implemented against certain parties, describing it as “completely idiotic” and fundamentally flawed.
Wagenknecht argued that it is deep undemocratic to permanently exclude a party that garners votes from 30 or 40 percent of the electorate, regardless of one’s personal stance on that party’s policies. Her proposed ideal is a non-polarizing, cross-party leader who governs with a highly competent cabinet and relies on fluid majorities, including the AfD.
For Wagenknecht, living in a democracy requires accepting the votes cast by many citizens. She suggested that the political game could continue by grouping all parties except the AfD into a new “firewall” coalition-ranging from the CDU to the Left Party-to keep the AfD out of power for at least one legislative period. She believes this coalition would secure an absolute majority, but she labels this strategic move as politically “idiotic” because it manifests an arrogance towards the voter.
She views the idea of an expert government that incorporates the AfD as a democratically fair attempt: allowing the AfD to participate in governance politically, while preventing it from acquiring excessive power. Wagenknecht noted that half of the voters in her opinion do not want a CDU Prime Minister, and at least half hold this view. Consequently, she also stated that a goal is to see the CDU Prime Minister voted out in Saxony-Anhalt, which she believes increases the chances that the Merz cabinet might prematurely conclude. She asserts that this outcome would benefit Germany, though she acknowledges that the other half of the voters do not want an AfD Prime Minister either. She concluded that this extreme political polarization could, in fact, be mitigated by a cross-party candidate, which is why she put forward the suggestion, deeming it “very reasonable”.
In addressing the known presence of “eccentric elements” within the AfD, the BSW founder reiterated that citizens continue to vote for the party, and these votes must be respected. While expressing personal disappointment that the BSW did not achieve 42 percent of the vote, Wagenknecht emphasized the reality of the political landscape. She asserted that all political parties, especially those that claim to be the major democratic forces, must understand that the core principle of democracy is seriously acknowledging the votes of the electorate.
