Identity crisis of the Left: The Standstill Party

The left is always baffling times in linguistic subtleties, when it's actually about fundamental issues. For years the party has been arguing over whether the EU is "militaristic, undemocratic and neo-liberal". Above all, the party left insist on this sharp criticism, the pragmatists, however, it is much too sweeping.

At the congress in Bonn they agreed on a compromise. The program states that one wants to abolish those contractual foundations that "commit to rearmament", lead to "military interventions" or prescribe a "neo-liberal policy".

The content has not changed, the text sounds at best less pointed. A deal that both sides can now interpret as a success for themselves. Peace maintained, for the time being.

It is all about a very important conflict, it is about the orientation of the party. Do the left want to reform and strengthen the EU despite all criticism? Or do they regard the Union as a pure repressive system of the rich, as an "enemy," as one delegate said?

The left, however, does what it has always done in the past, when things got dicey: it avoids a directional decision.

Hitziger party day in the summer

This was the case in the dispute over immigration policy, as parliamentary leader Sahra Wagenknecht pushed for a limitation on immigration, while many others advocated for unconditional solidarity. At the heated party conference in the summer, the debate was postponed for months at short notice. To date, both sides see themselves as the winner.

Or the case with the autocrats. A substantial part of the party still sympathizes with all opponents of the United States, no matter how inhumane their policies are. Virtually every list candidate in Bonn was invited from plenary to confess Venezuela's ruler Nicolás Maduro. A request was not treated, but transferred to the party executive. Likewise, a controversial text on Russia.

Germany out of NATO?

Or these questions: Does the left reject any commitment of the Bundeswehr abroad - or just "combat missions?" Should NATO someday be replaced by another alliance - or must Germany immediately get out of the alliance? Is the party fighting openly for government participation? Or do you see yourself as an extended arm of activists in the parliaments?

The problem: The Left far too often wants to be both - radical protest party and serious force in the democratic spectrum. The fear of division determines the course. But this misunderstood pluralism drives the left deeper and deeper into the identity crisis.

Sure, the left can be in Saxony and be a scenic actor in Prenzlauer Berg. Here she can emphasize the social and there the liberal. But the Left admits that with formula compromises large parts of the party in core issues of politics in the long run opposing positions. By never realizing the value of board or congressional decisions over the long term, voters and potential partners have a question: who are they actually dealing with on the left?

One could certainly use a perceptible, reliable left with a clear attitude in Germany - no matter how one stands politically to this party. Because only with the left would be a real camp election campaign possible, which would be so desperately needed to liberate the country from political lethargy. A departure from agenda politics, a more radical ecological change, less arms exports, more justice in the health system, a determined fight against rising rents - only with red-red-green would this policy be theoretically conceivable.

The left-wing of the SPD as a danger?

And yes, the left wing of the SPD is a danger to the left. But it also offers the opportunity to work together, the chance to position itself as a visionary but pragmatic party that drives the Social Democrats with a clearer social, peace-political and environmental profile. But you have to take the party seriously.

Among the comrades, many say that this or that question is not up to now. Or the dispute will be clear once you sit in the government.

But it is inconceivable that a chancellor would allow his partner to use the coalition for internal cleansing processes. It would be an incalculable risk. No reputable head of government will simply deprive Germany of its international responsibilities, step out of NATO unilaterally, renounce EU treaties, immediately withdraw the Bundeswehr everywhere, pact with dictators and leave every person in the country in disorder.

Instead of working on their governance, the left has been in chaos for years. Also because of their also never clarified personal hostilities - especially between Wagenknecht and party leader Katja Kipping.

The two women and their supporters attack each other over and over again. But for fear of scaring one or the other camp, the left does not finally fight the power struggle. Not even this time. It remains calm in Bonn - but not because suddenly there is peace. Wagenknecht is ill - and therefore not there.