Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter May 2024

‘Labour Affairs’ is pleased to publish the European manifesto and an extract from the party manifesto for the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), the new left party in Germany led by Sahra Wagenknecht. In both documents the key points are clearly stated and it is evident that BSW deputies would be a breath of fresh air into the Bundestag and the European Parliament. The BSW advocate an  independent Europe based on national sovereignty and co-operation for common national interests. National states should retain their economic and financial independence and should be able to resist the work of shadowy lobbyists for corporate interests who work behind the scenes in Brussels to undermine national interests. A pragmatic attitude to climate change, that does not damage the interests of the European working class is advocated, together with a policy on migration that prevents ‘social dumping’ and the undermining of labour markets within the EU.

A major positive is that they advocate collective security arrangements for the wider European space beginning with a resolution of the war in Ukraine. In other words, a vision of a  Europe based on national co-operation, the defence of national interests and the promotion of Europe-wide collective security is promoted.

In the face of a hostile interviewer on a Bavarian television channel recently Wagenknecht made several key points about the way in which the party deals with the challenges of growth. Taxed with having only 40 members in Bavaria, Wagenknecht made the point that many more wish to join but the new party has to be careful to accept members who abide by its programme, are capable of working constructively with others and do not flit from political organisation to political organisation on a whim. In other words, serious people who wish to co-operate. They do not intend to become ‘Die Linke 2.0’. The implication is clearly that the new party does not want to be identified with the traditional left, i.e. the left that is thoroughly corrupted by neoliberal thinking. The problems that the AfD are now experiencing result from lack of care in accepting members, resulting in the party as it now is being far from the intentions of its founders. Asked if she was worried about an influx of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) supporters she made the point that many voters are angry about being patronised by Greens, about economic insecurity and excessive migration and their concerns are to be taken seriously. In principle there is no problem about accepting ex AfD members.

Pressed on whether the BSW was ‘letting down’ the Ukrainians by calling for an end to shipping weapons and money to them and for negotiations to begin, she was steadfast and pointed out that the best way of securing the interests of the Ukrainian people was by ending war and restoring peace through meaningful negotiations.

The formation of a new political party is a difficult and hazardous business and the pitfalls are many. BSW intends to avoid these through a policy that combines cautious growth, care in accepting new members and the prioritisation of a culture of co-operation within the party. In the view of Labour Affairs, this is probably a wise policy that will avoid some of the problems that inevitably arise from rapid and uncontrolled growth.

Here follows the BSW’s European manifesto.

For economic common sense, social justice, peace, freedom of expression and democracy.

Diplomatic foreign and security policy

Europe must refocus its foreign and security policy on the principles of diplomacy, conflict prevention and good neighbourliness. As a first step, we want the war in Ukraine to end as quickly as possible with a ceasefire and the start of peace negotiations.

An Independent Europe

Europe must become an independent player on the world stage instead of being a pawn in the conflict between the major powers. A new bloc confrontation with escalating economic sanctions is damaging to Europe. Europe must also stop being a digital colony of the United States, but must build an independent digital infrastructure that protects citizens from surveillance and manipulation.

Economic common sense

We want a strong, innovative and socially responsible European economy. The EU should secure its economic and industrial base through good framework conditions and joint projects for the future, guarantee national states’ budgetary, social and economic sovereignty, limit the power of Big Tech, Big Pharma and Big Finance and protect SMEs from ruinous tax competition and pointless regulations and reporting obligations.

Social Justice

We need an EU that protects efficient public services of general interest and high social standards. Collective agreements and local wages must be defended against low-cost competition in all EU countries. To combat growing poverty and inequality, we are campaigning against tax dumping and for fair taxation of the super-rich.

Innovative climate policy

We want to advance climate policy and environmental protection through technological innovation, public funding and sensible incentives and not by making people’s lives more expensive or driving key industries out of Europe. Longer warranty periods to prevent products with deliberately short life cycles (an end to built-in obsolescence) are more beneficial to the environment and climate than high CO2 taxes, which are simply passed on to consumers in the absence of competition. Instead of banning combustion cars, the far more sensible strategy would be to impose requirements for the development of more fuel-efficient models.

Less migration

We want to stop uncontrolled migration to the EU, put a stop to the smuggling gangs and create better prospects in the countries from which migrants come. Asylum and examination procedures for protection status should take place at the EU’s external borders or in third countries. Those who do not receive protection status there are also not entitled to access to the EU, a work permit or social benefits in an EU member state.

Freedom and democracy

Europe must no longer be the Eldorado of lobbyists who make backroom deals with an ever-growing EU bureaucracy. We want to stop the flood of bureaucratic encroachments on companies and citizens, prevent encroachments on the interests of member states and roll back encroachments on freedom of expression, especially on social platforms.

Here is an extract from the Party Manifesto about the economy and innovation.

Economic common sense

Our country still has a solid industry and a successful, innovative SME sector. But the framework conditions have deteriorated dramatically in recent years. Our public infrastructure is a disgrace for a leading industrialized country. Hardly a train runs on time,  patients wait months for an appointment with a specialist, tens of thousands of teachers, daycare places and housing are lacking. Dilapidated roads and bridges, slow Internet, overburdened administrations and unnecessary regulations make life difficult and it is particularly difficult for small and medium-sized companies. 

The German school system with 16 different regional different curricula, classes that are far too large and premature selection for secondary school denies educational and life opportunities to the children of less well-off families and at the same time fails to provide urgently needed skilled workers. Since the sanctions imposed on Russia and so-called climate policy have also made energy suddenly more expensive, our country is threatened, facing the loss of important industries and hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs. Many companies are considering relocating their production abroad. Others are threatened in their very existence. 

Corporate capture and the failure of antitrust authorities have created a market economy in which many markets no longer function. Dominant large corporations, overpowering financial groups such as Blackrock and encroaching digital monopolies such as Amazon, Alphabet, Facebook, Microsoft and Apple have emerged, taking their toll on all other market participants, undermining competition and destroying democracy. To a considerable extent, the current inflation is also the result of market failure caused by excessive economic power. We strive for an innovative economy with fair competition, well-paid secure jobs, a high proportion of industrial value creation, a fair tax system and a strong middle class. To achieve this, we want to limit market power and unbundle dominant corporations. Where monopolies are unavoidable, tasks must be transferred to non-profit providers. German industry is the backbone of our prosperity and must be preserved. We need more future technologies made in Germany again, more emerging champions, not fewer.

Future technologies made in Germany

Massive investment in our education system, our public infrastructure and in competent, effective administrations is necessary to prevent our country from falling into economic decline. We need investment funds to promote innovative domestic companies and start-ups and not billions in subsidies for corporations from overseas. As a country that is strong in exports and poor in raw materials, Germany needs a foreign trade policy that focuses on stable trade relations with as many partners as possible instead of creating new blocs and promoting escalating sanctions. We need a foreign trade policy that secures our supply of raw materials and cheap energy.

The change in the global climate and the destruction of our natural resources are serious challenges that politicians must not ignore. However, a serious climate and environmental policy requires honesty: Germany’s energy supply cannot be secured by renewable energies alone within the framework of current technologies. Blind activism and ill-considered measures do not help the climate, but they do endanger our economic substance, make people’s lives more expensive and undermine public acceptance of sensible climate protection measures. The most important contribution that a country like Germany can make to combating climate change and environmental destruction is the development of innovative key technologies for a climate-neutral and environmentally friendly economy of the future.