Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter 26 February 26

Four years of war: Why doesn’t Merz call Putin?

This week marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which violated international law. Every day that this war continues is a bad day. It is a tragedy that the opportunity to end the war just a few weeks after it began, at a time when the conditions were much more favourable for Ukraine, was not seized.

 Kiev’s negotiating position is now worse than ever. The European ‘coalition of the willing’ bears much of the responsibility for this, having torpedoed every negotiating initiative in recent months with unrealistic demands and encouraged the Ukrainian government in its unwillingness to compromise. While the US has long recognised that the war can only be ended through negotiations and has stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine, Merz, Macron, Starmer and co. are labouring under the illusion that they can continue the proxy war against Russia at their own expense. 

This loss of touch with reality in some European capitals is highly dangerous, as it carries the risk of escalation into a major European war. And it goes hand in hand with an unprecedented misappropriation of taxpayers’ money. This year alone, arms aid to the corrupt Zelensky government is costing German taxpayers 11.5 billion euros, while the Ukrainian civilian population is paying for the continuation of the war with ever more suffering and deaths. This madness must end! Why doesn’t Merz call Putin? Diplomacy is finally needed instead of perpetual war!

War in Iran?

The situation in Iran is tragic: while the mullah regime, which uses brutal force against its own people, remains firmly in power, US President Trump is threatening the country with war if the Iranian government does not submit to his demands in the dispute over the nuclear programme and other issues. 

Such an escalation, which would plunge the people even deeper into misery and the entire region into chaos, must be prevented at all costs! One thing is clear: Trump is not interested in supporting the courageous people in Iran who are taking to the streets to demand better living conditions and more freedom. Rather, the US wants to remove an unwelcome regime that opposes its power and economic interests. Washington’s brutal wars and attempts at regime change in the Middle East have always brought only destruction and chaos. 

This shows that democracy cannot be achieved by bombing! The German government must now pull out all diplomatic stops to prevent war and work towards a negotiated solution. An important step would be to lift sanctions against Iran in order to enable dialogue and prevent a further deterioration of the situation for the Iranian people. In addition, the German government should prohibit the US from using its military bases in Germany to support a war against Iran!

BSW in the election campaign: Come along!

In March, the BSW will be contesting the state elections in Baden-Württemberg (8 March) and Rhineland-Palatinate (22 March). 

These federal states exemplify what is going wrong in Germany as a whole: neglected infrastructure, neglected regions, overburdened and over-indebted local authorities, dilapidated schools and closed hospitals. There is a pressing need for a reliable opposition to the old parties’ policies, which are out of touch with the citizens! 

I am travelling to Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate to support our regional associations’ election campaigns. On Monday, 2 March, I will be speaking in Stuttgart at 6 p.m. and on Tuesday, 3 March, in Mainz at 6:30 p.m. Come along and bring your family and friends! I look forward to seeing you! An overview with all the information on the BSW’s election campaign dates can be found here.

Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter 19 February 26

Merz soon no longer chancellor? Lawsuit officially filed!

A new recount

We have officially filed an election review complaint with the Federal Constitutional Court! The old parties are trying to prevent a recount at all costs in order to keep the Merz government in power. They do not want the BSW, an opposition party that consistently opposes their policies of military build-up, social cuts and economic decline, to enter the Bundestag. That is why the Bundestag, acting as judge in its own case, rejected our election appeal by a majority vote, thereby breaking with a fundamental principle of democracy – the correct calculation of election results. After all, with such a close result and proven counting errors, only a recount can clarify whether the parliament is constitutionally constituted and Friedrich Merz is a democratically legitimate chancellor. In an interview with Servus TV, I explain why it is now up to the Federal Constitutional Court to restore the confidence in democratic institutions that has been declining for years by paving the way for a recount. I also talk about what a way out of the firewall trap might look like and why the current debate on working hours is so dishonest.

Gas storage facilities soon to be empty?

Gas storage levels in Germany continue to fall and are now at a historic low of 23.5 percent. This is extremely worrying! If there is another cold spell, gas reserves are unlikely to be sufficient to guarantee supply until the end of winter. This would have dramatic consequences for the economy and households: already high gas prices would skyrocket, and forced shutdowns in industry would be possible. And the federal government? Instead of pulling out all the stops to prevent a gas shortage, Economics Minister Katherina Reiche is burying her head in the sand and claiming that there is no cause for concern. In other words, the federal government is gambling that the remaining weeks of winter will not be as cold as January. But what if they are? The fact that Merz, Reiche, and Co. are unable to guarantee a reliable—let alone affordable—energy supply for what is (still) the world’s third-largest economy shows once again that we are being governed by amateurs!

End vassalage!

According to research by Der Spiegel magazine, the CIA was involved in Ukraine’s plans to blow up the Nord Stream pipelines at an early stage. The US intelligence service is said to have exchanged information with the Ukrainian secret command several times in the spring of 2022 and approved the terrorist act. Even though Washington allegedly distanced itself from the plans later on, the US did not prevent the attack. We need to realize that Kiev is blowing up our critical infrastructure, our “transatlantic partner” the US was at least privy to the plans – and our federal government continues to send billions in taxpayer money, making Germany the main financier of the US proxy war in Ukraine? This vassalage must end! First of all, all payments to the Ukrainian Nord Stream terrorists must be stopped. Most other European countries have long since withdrawn from financing this bottomless pit, as has the US itself. In addition, the German government should work to get the pipelines back into operation in order to free us from our dependence on overpriced US fracking gas. We finally need a government that confidently represents the interests of our country instead of acting as the US’s lackey!

Merz makes people poor

The latest data from the Federal Statistical Office, which the BSW has requested, shows that the proportion of single parents at risk of poverty has risen sharply from 25.2 to 28.7 percent since 2022. Last year, that amounted to 1.26 million people. And the situation becomes even more depressing when you consider citizens living alone: over 5.2 million people are at risk of poverty. Against this backdrop, debates about part-time work, dental visits, and the welfare state can only be described as pure cynicism. When more and more single parents and families with children are sliding into poverty, it is a massive failure of economic and family policy. Instead of accusing people of choosing a lifestyle of part-time work, there should finally be full-day childcare for every child in Germany. If the federal government sticks to its plans to finance gigantic military spending by cutting back on the welfare state and scrapping benefits or increasing contributions, poverty will continue to rise in the coming years. Friedrich Merz is well on his way to going down in the history of the Federal Republic as the chancellor of poverty.

BSW explains: Covid policy

Even three years after the official end of the pandemic, there has been no review of the Covid policy and the completely disproportionate restrictions on fundamental rights. In Berlin, our BSW representative Alexander King has repeatedly rubbed salt in the wound with 50 written inquiries to the Senate, highlighting the shortcomings of the Covid crisis management. The results of this outstanding opposition work are now documented in the publication “Corona in Berlin – Ein Schwarzbuch” (Covid in Berlin – A Black Book). The book shows that an investigative committee is also long overdue in Berlin. This is another reason why it is important for the BSW to enter the House of Representatives in the September election so that such a committee can be established.

Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter 12 February 26

We are filing a lawsuit: Recount NOW!

We are filing a lawsuit with the Federal Constitutional Court demanding a recount! This is not just about the BSW, but about democracy in Germany. Given the many irregularities and systematic counting errors to our detriment, it is highly likely that Chancellor Merz’s federal government does not have a majority, as we would be represented in parliament if the votes had been counted correctly. This is apparently also the assumption of the other parties that rejected our election appeal in the Bundestag. But regardless of one’s opinion of the BSW, every democrat should have an interest in ensuring that the election results are beyond any doubt. In a joint press conference held by the BSW with Dr. Uwe Lipinski (specialist lawyer for constitutional law) and Prof. Dr. Christoph Degenhart (professor emeritus of constitutional and administrative law, former judge at the Saxon Constitutional Court), we explained why a recount is urgently needed and why it is now up to the Federal Constitutional Court to restore confidence in democracy and the institutions.

Out of the firewall trap

[The ‘firewall’ is the process of excluding beyond a ‘firewall’ parties and people who do not conform to the prevailing ideas.]

It is profoundly undemocratic to exclude a party that is being voted for by more and more voters because the other parties no longer represent their concerns. We must finally get out of the firewall trap! As the BSW, we have learned from the mistake of entering governments in which there is too little agreement on content and whose only common denominator is to keep the AfD out of power. We therefore advocate a new approach: a cabinet of experts. Instead of party politicians, competent experts should occupy the top political offices and form a government that then has to seek its majorities in parliament on a case-by-case basis. In an interview with WELT TV, I discuss why this would be a real opportunity for democracy and an alternative to the failed firewall.

Number one war financier

The German government is turning German taxpayers into the number one war financiers. While the US has almost completely ended its support for Ukraine, Europe is stepping into the breach to continue financing the prolongation of this senseless proxy war. Germany is bearing the brunt of this, as shown by new data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW). According to this data, European military aid will have risen by 67 percent in 2025 compared to previous years. This year alone, the German government wants to increase German arms aid to Ukraine to 11.5 billion euros. Added to this is the new EU debt of €90 billion pushed through by Merz, which has now been approved by the European Parliament and will ultimately have to be paid for mainly by German taxpayers. It is the height of cynicism : while the coalition makes new proposals for cuts affecting its own citizens on a daily basis, it issues Ukraine with one blank cheque after another. The financing of Ukraine has long been a misappropriation of German taxpayers’ money, while the Ukrainian civilian population is paying for the continuation of the war with ever more suffering and deaths. Instead of continuing to burn billions in Ukraine, the German government should finally work seriously on a peace plan and also demand a willingness to compromise from the Ukrainian president.

The stupid voter?

For Roderich Kiesewetter, “good politics” means explaining to the population that they simply haven’t understood things properly yet. According to the CDU agitator, Germany’s problem is not the disastrous policies of the federal government, but stupid voters. So when the economy is in tatters, energy and food prices are rising, and many things in our country are no longer working, is it all just imagination? No! We don’t need politicians who gloss over problems and lecture citizens. The vast majority are quite rightly demanding that the government finally put the interests of citizens back at the center of its agenda!

Overcoming polarization

“Whether it’s Covid amnesty, sensible energy policy, freedom of expression, social mobility, migration control, or the big issue of peace—the old parties don’t want any of the things we are elected for.” In an interview with the Nordkurier, I talk about the BSW’s mistake of joining state governments too early, the increasing marginalization of people who hold non-conformist opinions, and possible ways to overcome political polarization in our country.

The censorship complex

House searches for ironic posts, suspended prison sentences for memes – freedom of expression in Germany is coming under increasing attack. Behind these actions are often state-sponsored reporting centers where statements that are clearly protected by freedom of expression can be reported. These institutions are part of an increasingly coordinated effort against politically unwelcome opinions. In a study, the organization Liber-net has now documented the extent of this veritable censorship network: More than 300 organizations, including government agencies, NGOs, university working groups, fact checkers, think tanks, and foundations, are involved in the suppression of online content in Germany. The alarming results of the study can be found here.

Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter 5 February 26

Silent fascism: How the German government and the EU are destroying the rule of law

EU Sanctions on Europeans

No crime, no charges, no trial: under the pretext of combating ‘Russian disinformation,’ the EU began imposing sanctions on its own citizens for the first time last year. Those currently affected include Berlin-based journalist Hüseyin Doğru and Swiss publicist Jacques Baud, who lives in Belgium. Their only ‘crime’ is to hold views that deviate from the mainstream. These arbitrary measures have resulted in the economic and social destruction of those sanctioned: their accounts have been frozen and their assets seized, they are no longer allowed to leave the country, and providing them with assistance is punishable by law. What is the purpose of the EU and the German government’s sanctions policy? Why does this fascist-like approach threaten to destroy democracy and the rule of law? And why are our ‘quality media’ silent about this frontal attack on freedom of the press and freedom of expression? I discuss this in my latest weekly review.

Attack on high achievers

Exorbitant prices for pharmaceutical products, growing bureaucracy, rising rent and heating cost reimbursements for citizens receiving welfare – the welfare state in Germany has become more expensive, but the provision of services for the people is getting worse and worse. Instead of tackling the root causes of this problem, which lie in the profit-oriented nature of the healthcare system and housing market or an unfair pension system, the Merz government wants to continue cutting social benefits. In the case of the new basic income support, this mainly affects the high achievers in our society – namely the workers who are losing their jobs now or will lose them in the future because of the disastrous policies of the federal government and who, after a year, will then receive as much as someone who has never paid into our social security systems. Why the welfare state debate is dishonest, why we urgently need to become independent from the US, and why the space for debate in Germany is shrinking – I discuss these and other questions in the WELT talk show ‘Freedom of Expression with Nena Brockhaus’.

Vassal Chancellor Merz

US President Donald Trump has decided not to annex Greenland militarily for the time being. This probably had very little to do with the 13 Bundeswehr soldiers who withdrew after a two-day ‘reconnaissance mission’ on the ground. Nevertheless, in his latest government statement, Merz proudly rambled on about the ‘happiness of self-respect’ and a ‘newfound self-confidence among Europeans’. A German head of government who confidently represents the interests of his people? That would really be something new! Unfortunately, a look at reality shows that Merz and self-respect are two things that actually have very little in common.

The economy is booming? Not at all!

Nursing homes are increasingly becoming a poverty trap! The personal contribution for a place in a nursing home has risen to 3,245 euros per month. This borders on expropriation of our older generation! Every second nursing home resident is dependent on social assistance because their pension and savings are no longer sufficient to cover the costs. Over 350,000 people are affected – more than ever before. During the election campaign, the SPD promised to cap personal contributions. The next election fraud! While there is supposedly no money for our elderly, the federal government prefers to increase the defence budget from €52 billion to €153 billion. What an outrage! I believe that dignified care in old age should not be a question of money. We need a cap on care costs of 1,000 euros! Looking ahead, we should also consider introducing comprehensive care insurance that covers all care-related costs.

Cross-party support for nuclear bombs

Cross-party support for Germany’s nuclear armament is growing: following calls by AfD politicians for German nuclear weapons, CDU warmonger Roderich Kiesewetter and former Green Party Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer are now also advocating Germany’s participation in a European nuclear bomb. What madness! The acquisition of German nuclear weapons would be a serious violation of Germany’s obligations under international law arising from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Two Plus Four Treaty and would undermine the international system of nuclear arms control. It is not more nuclear weapons that increase our security, but diplomacy, nuclear disarmament and international treaties. Instead of fantasising about acquiring its own weapons of mass destruction and making itself a target for nuclear war by stationing US medium-range missiles, Germany should take the lead in a diplomatic disarmament initiative. The BSW demands: Withdraw US nuclear bombs! No US medium-range missiles in Germany!

BSW reveals: Merz sells out taxpayers

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has ensured that the EU will take on new debt amounting to 90 billion euros in order to continue financing corrupt Ukraine and equipping it with weapons for its unwinnable war against Russia. The German government claims that the loan is secured by future reparations payments from Russia to Ukraine – which, however, are unlikely to ever materialise. In a memorable questioning in the Berlin House of Representatives, BSW MP Alexander King elicited an admission from European Affairs State Secretary Florian Hauer that, in the end, German taxpayers will probably be asked to foot the bill for the billions in aid. Click here to watch the video.

Poster donation for the BSW

In March, the BSW will contest two state and two local elections. In Baden-Württemberg (8 March), Rhineland-Palatinate (22 March), Bavaria (8 March) and Hesse (15 March), a fundamental decision on the direction to take is at stake: will taxpayers’ money continue to be wasted on weapons or will it be put to good use to meet people’s needs? Support the BSW’s election campaign with a poster donation – posters are already available for the state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate and for the local elections in Hesse. You can select the location, period and desired theme on our website.