About: Die Linke

Far-right AfD falls short of first place in both German state elections

Right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved historical gains in state elections in Saxony and Brandenburg but Chancellor Merkel’s CDU and its coalition partner SPD remain strongest political parties allowing current grand coalition to hold on until 2021.

German Left Party’s Gysi: EU shouldn’t be understood as necessary evil

The German Left Party has adopted its programme and named Martin Schirdewan, a 43-year old MEP, and Özlem Demirel as its top candidates for the European elections. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

European Left leader: All leftwing and progressive parties must oppose rise of far-right

Progressive forces need to stand up to the rise of far-right movements by building a social, Gregor Gysi said in an interview with EURACTIV, and the run-up to the EU elections provides a "historic window of opportunity".

Aufstehen: ‘We don’t want a German Europe, we want a European Germany’

Two weeks passed since the German leftist movement “Aufstehen” was officially formed – and according to their own account, it already has more than 140,000 supporters. EURACTIV Germany spoke to Fabio De Masi, deputy chairman of Die Linke in the German Bundestag about the European ambitions of the movement.

German far-left politician launches ‘Stand up’ movement

A German far-left politician will launch today (4 September) a cross-party movement called "Stand up" (Aufstehen.de), modelled on the populist campaigns of US Senator Bernie Sanders and Britain's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Trans-Europe Express: Germany is really two countries

Maybe revenge is best served cold. With 12.5% of the national vote, a largely East German constituency had put the first extreme right party into the Bundestag since 1945.

German elections: The race for third place

Voters head to the polls on Sunday (24 September) for a race where the winner is almost pre-ordained. This may drive a protest vote that could see the far-right AfD become the official opposition.

Germany’s Free Democrats may stall EU reform hopes

A week before German elections, the storied Free Democratic Party looks set to recover from a historic 2013 defeat and return to parliament - where it could make Berlin a much more awkward partner for its European neighbours.

German Gaza protests turn violent, raising anti-Semitism fears

Violence, hate speech, self-immolation: the Middle East conflict has reached Germany, with observers worrying that riots during recent Gaza demonstrations are an expression of deeply rooted anti-Semitism. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German Left Party: ‘Eurosceptic AfD is our political opponent’

Germany's Left Party (Die Linke) calls for EU-wide referenda, criticises austerity policy and denounces bailouts for banks, sparking claims of significant overlap with the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD). The Left Party rejects these allegations. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Die Linke attacks minimum wage age limit

German Labour Minister Andrea Nahles tabled a draft law last week introducing a minimum wage of €8.50 per hour. But opposition leaders from the Left Party (Die Linke) have already announced legal action against the proposed legislation. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German MP (Die Linke): ‘We are still far from the 0.7% development aid target’

Germany's new development minister is on the right track, but involving private companies is not the appropriate policy in Africa. Instead, building up local regional markets should be the aim, says Left Party MP Niema Movassat.

Eurosceptic election manifesto divides Germany’s left

A draft election manifesto just released by Germany's Left Party is highly critical of the EU. Amid rising euroscepticism the party is split over whether the document's wording accurately depicts its European message.