The BSW, Germany's left-wing party, faces mounting criticism over its alleged alignment with the far-right AfD ahead of the upcoming regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6. The controversy centers around two leading candidates, Thomas Schulze and Claudia Wittig, who have been accused of positioning themselves near the AfD to facilitate potential coalition-building and secure influence over the Ministry of Education. This has sparked internal dissent within the party, with several members resigning in protest just weeks before the vote. A group of 21 former members wrote a letter to the BSW executive board expressing concerns over the party’s direction, particularly its perceived closeness to the AfD. These criticisms were further amplified after new allegations emerged regarding the behavior of Schulze and Wittig. According to insiders, both candidates have deliberately sought proximity to figures associated with the far right, including former AfD politicians and individuals linked to Russian interests. One such incident involves an appearance by ex-AfD politician Robert Farle at a BSW event hosted by Schulze, raising eyebrows among critics. The situation has deepened amid growing tensions within the BSW leadership. The party’s performance in recent polls hovers around 4 to 5 percent, which could allow it to enter the state parliament if it secures enough votes. However, this outcome would place the BSW in a precarious position, potentially enabling the AfD, currently polling around 40 percent, to gain power through a coalition. This scenario has alarmed some members, who fear the BSW might inadvertently support an AfD-led government. Harald Koch, one of the earliest members of the BSW in Saxony-Anhalt, recently resigned along with 20 others, including senior officials. His departure follows a public statement condemning the party’s shift toward the AfD. Koch, once a member of the Left Party, served as district chairman in Mansfeld-Südharz before his exit. He expressed bitterness over the current trajectory, calling the BSW a “mix of AfD light and SED 2.0,” a reference to the former East German ruling party. Sylvia Winkelmann-Witkowsky, another former deputy leader of the BSW in Saxony-Anhalt, echoed similar sentiments. She described the party as having lost sight of its founding principles, leaving behind only its commitment to peace policy. She criticized the lack of clear political vision and the erosion of internal cohesion, suggesting the BSW is increasingly becoming a platform for right-wing influence. In response to these accusations, Bavaria’s BSW leader, Klaus Ernst, has publicly rejected the idea of supporting an AfD-led government. Speaking to dpa, he stated that aiding an AfD minister-president would contradict the BSW’s democratic values. “An AfD government would be anything but a democratic fresh start,” he said. He emphasized that the BSW’s core values, social welfare and peace, stand in direct opposition to the AfD’s agenda. While he supports the concept of an expert government in Saxony-Anhalt, he insists that political proposals should be judged based on their content, not their origin. Meanwhile, the debate over the BSW’s role continues to intensify. The party’s special congress in Thuringia, also scheduled for September 6, is expected to heighten the conflict. With internal divisions worsening and key members withdrawing, the BSW risks losing credibility in the run-up to the election. The coming days will likely determine whether the party can navigate this crisis without further damage to its reputation.
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