Sahra Wagenknecht’s political movement has sparked significant debate in Germany. Her new party, the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), has quickly gained attention and support, but also faces strong criticism.
A quick rise in the political landscape
The Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), initially established as an association in 2023, has officially become a part of Germany’s political spectrum since 2024. In its first major electoral test, the party secured 6.2% of the vote in the European elections, a noteworthy achievement for a new party.
Sahra Wagenknecht, the party’s namesake and leader, remains one of Germany’s most polarizing figures. To some, she is seen as a sympathetic figure to Putin, while to others, she is viewed as a “chancellor of the heart.”
As the upcoming state elections in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg approach, forecasts suggest that the BSW could achieve double-digit support in these regions. In Thuringia, Wagenknecht’s home state, the party is even nearing the 20% mark.
However, the party’s relationship with Russia has raised concerns among critics. In a recent open letter, former East German civil rights activists accused Wagenknecht and her alliance of spreading lies and warned other political parties against collaborating with the BSW.
