So, somebody recently asked me to do a Marxist–Leninist reading of the conservative-left party Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) the party is currently still operating under that name, though a potential rebranding is expected. I am half German, so I figured I would write a short, factual overview of what the party is, where it comes from, and how it positions itself.
We can discuss theory and critique in the comments afterward.
Quick Summary
- The” BSW” was created as a splinter group from “Die Linke”.
- Die Linke” itself is also the product of earlier mergers and splits in German left politics.
- The party was initially founded and led by Sahra Wagenknecht, but this was or is about to change.
- Wagenknecht is married to Oskar Lafontaine, former SPD leader and prominent figure in Die Linke. She grew up in the GDR and is half-Iranian.
- In the European Parliament, BSW sits with the Unified European Left (UEL), not GUE/NGL.
Sahra Wagenknecht: Background & Profile
Sahra Wagenknecht is one of the most prominent figures in German politics, known for her mix of left-leaning economic positions and culturally conservative messaging.
- ** Early life & ideology:**
Born in the GDR to an East-German mother and Iranian father, she entered the PDS (the post-SED party) in the early 1990s. Her early writings were more traditionally Marxist, though her later positions diverge sharply from orthodox Marxism.
- Career in Die Linke:
Served as Bundestag representative, economic spokesperson, and co-chair of the parliamentary faction. She became known for criticizing neoliberal reforms and EU austerity.
- Internal conflicts:
Repeated disputes with other factions of Die Linke, especially over migration, cultural politics, and foreign policy, led to her eventual split.
- Public image:
Combines left-wing economic rhetoric with conservative cultural critiques. Highly media-savvy and frequently on talk shows. She also writes a lot of books.
- Personal ties:
Her marriage to Oskar Lafontaine further ties her to older social-democratic and post-communist political networks.
The BSW: Ideological & Policy Profile
The BSW positions itself as a party for “social justice, economic stability, and common sense,” blending social-democratic economics with socially conservative themes.
- Economic Policy
Strongly interventionist; supports state regulation and higher taxes on the wealthy. Critical of privatization; favours re-municipalization of key services. Focus on cost-of-living issues, housing, and industrial decline. Pro-industrial strategy but anti-corporate in rhetoric.
- Social & Cultural Policy
Rejects identity politics and “lifestyle leftism.” More restrictive migration stance than most European left parties. Emphasis on social cohesion, stability, and communitarian values.
- Foreign Policy
Critical of NATO and U.S. foreign policy. Opposes weapons deliveries to Ukraine, favours negotiations and sanctions relief. Seeks restoration of economic ties with Russia (while officially condemning the invasion). Sceptical of deeper EU integration.
- Environmental Policy
Supports climate goals but rejects consumption bans and “eco-austerity.” Emphasizes technological investment over regulatory restrictions.
Controversies, Local-Level Behaviour & Criticism
- Local gains but conservative cooperation:
While BSW has achieved notable success in eastern state elections, it often cooperates with conservative or centrist parties at the local/state level, which critics view as inconsistent with its left-economic message .
- Strong anti-“woke” stance:
The party sharply criticizes identity politics, gender policies, and cultural liberalism. This appeals to certain working-class voters but alienates much of the traditional left.
- Accusations of pro-Kremlin alignment:
Opponents argue its Ukraine and NATO positions echo Russian narratives. These are political allegations; the party denies them, and verified evidence of Kremlin funding is lacking.
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There was some suspicion on who funded the party , German news and donation watch list one family (listed as Thomas Stanger) that donated millions to the party.
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Backlash over Ukraine-related remarks:
Wagenknecht has faced criticism for comments perceived as overly sympathetic to Russia or dismissive of Ukrainian concerns, though some viral claims are unverified or misrepresented.
The BSW is not a Marxist–Leninist party, nor does it claim to be its program is reformist, populist, and firmly within the framework of capitalist parliamentary politics.
Anyways, if you find something that is incorrect pls feel free to correct me. Also leave your comments and thoughts below.
N.B: This is in no way to promote this party. This post is more about informing people about it and critically discussing issues arising from such parties.
As said before the BSW does not oppose LGBT rights. But the BSW is a working class party, not a LGBT party. The priorities should be obvious. Pandering to any kind of minority is how liberals do politics. Nothing we should copy. Again just look at China as an example.
"Wow go fuck yourself" is my immediate response and I think naturally the response of any other working class person who also happens to be queer. Clearly there needs to be significant political upheaval in Germany, but you're fucking stupid if you think that abandoning a significant and politically active section of your class is liberal or anything other than a stupid idea.
The reason that liberation is a critical part of any socialist program is because when workers face special oppressions, they become easier to exploit, lowering wages and conditions for all workers. Also, when you work towards the liberation of large sections of your class who face special oppression (transphobia, Islamophobia, etc) then you gain their trust. This is why national liberation is key.
Also you don't live in China you asshole, you live in fucking Germany. China has critical lessons but you do not fucking live in China and you're clearly not learning the right ones.
Go fuck yourself
The world is not coloured in black and white. The purpose of a communist movement is to build socialism and a dictatorship of the working class first and foremost. Claiming anything else is revisionism.
No one is arguing against LGBT rights. No one is being abandoned. All you're doing is making empty false accusations.
Your claims are unsubstantiated too. Supporting LGBT rights has not revived any communist movement in the world thus far. And it won't. Actually building working class mass movements will.
You're the one who can go fuck themselves for being a raging liberal. You're no Marxist.
Literally who are you going to win over while talking like this lmao. Have like literally one gay friend who can explain how weird and gross your attitude is in real life please because I want you to win, genuinely, but this is an incredibly coddled view to have.
One should be smart in how they present themselves and their movement to different sections of the working class, of course, but your analysis and presentation belies fundamental misunderstandings of why queer liberation was even focused on in the first place and would be alienating for anyone from my background. Idk what to say to you bro except I invite you to try this and when you fail take the lessons humbly.
You are the one who needs some lessons lib.
You're ignoring how politics work, you're ignoring my points, but worst of all you're ignoring theory and trying to distract from class struggle.
There is nothing gross about my attitude of saying that class struggle is the most important goal of any socialist movement.
You are wrong just as other modern self-proclaimed socialists are. Champagne college student socialists aren't Marxists. They do not understand Marxism, they do not understand politics and socioeconomics altogether and they don't understand the working class life.
Nothing but class struggle will ever be the main focus of communism. Your personal goals are not more important than humanity. Ideology doesn't morph to suit you. And it's disgusting that you're trying to use it to push your own agenda to the top.
If you are put off by this, you're in the wrong circles and ideology. We have no need of liberals nor the need or goal to win you over. You've already disagreed with me and insulted me. With that you're dead to me and I don't give a shit about your personal struggles. You do no represent any movement, neither the LGBT movement.
I think that a healthier approach to take would be a humble one, accepting that you do not have all the answers (because none of us do). Marxism is not a dogma. It's a regularly evolving science that evolves based on trial and error.
Here in the United States, we've been able to grow a significant communist movement here in the belly of the beast by understanding how liberation is key. Just as Marxists in earlier eras struggled for national liberation because it set the scene necessary for a larger fight back, so do we view the struggle for trans and black liberation as key. Marx began the field of Marxism, but clearly he was never able to be a part of a successful socialist revolution. The first successful socialist revolution on the planet was the founding of the Soviet Union with it's ability to defend itself. This was only possible through the advances that Lenin gave. One of Lenin's greatest advances was centering national liberation.
This is why Marxism and Leninism have gone on to be such key factors in national liberation movements all across the world and a large part of why the dream of a socialist future is often held in the global south, those places which are colonized by our respective countries.
I'm not demanding that reality mold around me. I'm a transgender woman, and I never chose that. It's simply something that I am. I went through a lot of trouble to be able to live my life as it is. I don't hurt anybody. And I and the people around me are much happier as a result of me coming out and being who I am. And I am only able to live as I am because of the struggles of socialists in the past. The struggle for trans liberation here in the United States is marked by many communists who contributed significant things. That's why me and many of the other trans people around me have a deep appreciation for the socialist movement here in the United States, as infantile as it is, because those people who are in it have fought so hard for us.
You say I don't engage with your points, but... Your point is that the only struggle worth having is class struggle. I agree! But class struggle doesn't mean abandoning large sections of your class because of an imagined dream of some kind of monolithic, quote-unquote, working class. The working class here in the United States as well as I assume in Germany is quite diverse and contains many different sections with many different interests. Interests which are used to divide but with the socialist movement can be used to unite. This is why being strategic about our struggles is key. Here in the United States, the socialist movement has taken a huge part of the lead on the struggle for Palestine here, and that has brought a ton of people into our camp because it illustrates how all the issues in their lives are tied to the same system committing a genocide overseas, and that lets us explain what socialism is, and bring people into a communist movement, even in the heart of global imperialism. I understand your points, but there's a reason they can be largely brought under the label of class reductionism. Because simply reducing things to supposedly monolithic classes doesn't give one a really useful framework to work from.
Even here in the heart of global imperialism, we've been able to build a successful and militant socialist movement by bringing together the struggles for national liberation here, queer liberation here, anti-imperialism here, all of these things build towards a larger socialist agenda, which is able to deal with the complexities of our world and connect them in a way that makes sense for regular people. I'm a proud member and cadre of The Party For Socialism And Liberation. We don't have all the answers yet (if we did we would have won by now) but I know from my own experience in organizing here in the heart of global imperialism that seriously talking about and addressing these issues opens up people who never would have listened to you in the first place. When we organize, we don't put who we are at the door.
I invite you to read this article about Leslie Feinberg. Leslie Feinberg was a through-and-through lifelong dedicated revolutionary socialist even here in the United States during the most anti-communist and counter-revolutionary period in our entire history. Leslie Feinberg was a major contributor to our socialist movement here through the Workers' World Party, which directly led to the party that I'm a part of. Once you finish that, I highly recommend the novel Trans Liberation Beyond Pink and Blue by Leslie Feinberg. It brings together why the struggles for liberation are tied to the struggles for socialism. What trans liberation looks like in our lifetime.
Finally, and I say this because I want you to win, you should not take a chauvinistic attitude at any time. I insulted you because you devalued the struggle for liberation for me and my friends and so many people I love.
You tried to, just as the far right does, paint us as some other, instead of an inextricable part of the working class, and of humanity as a whole. Rich queer people will never have to worry about any struggle for liberation, they can always hide behind their money. However, working-class queer people, we are very much at the whims of government policy. The same way that immigrants are scapegoated and wages and working conditions are reduced for us all here in the United States, trans people and queer people are often treated the same way. And by you trying to paint a fake division between the struggle for queer liberation and the struggle for working class liberation, it's nothing but a spit in the face of people like me.
You insulted me because you felt aggrieved by the fact that I didn't like you talking about trans people that way and because you think that I don't understand Marxism. We are not the same. If you want to actually try and organize, you're going to have to be patient and explaining, and also put your feelings at the door. You have to learn how to be stone cold and stoic in order to be able to seriously deal with these issues. I genuinely want you to win. What I'm saying are lessons that I have learned by being in the struggle here for many years in the United States and learning through trial and error what works and what doesn't work. I know I don't have all the answers, but I know even more strongly that liberation is key.