Election campaign in Saxony: Schaper warns of parallels to the 1930s

Election campaign in Saxony: Schaper warns of parallels to the 1930s

The election campaign of the Left Party in Saxony is not only shaped by the usual political disputes, but also by a worrying reality: physical attacks on members and offices of the party. Susanne Schaper, the party's top candidate, reports of alarming experiences that she and her colleagues have had since developments in 2014. It is a situation that arouses memories of the political struggles of the 1930s when the political discourse was crossed by violence and intimidation.

in Sebnitz in the Eastern Saxony, a city that is known for its high election results of the AfD and an active neo-Nazi scene, the Left Party gathered into an election campaign camp. Schaper justifies this procedure with the will to be visible in problem areas and not to put it back from political reality. She says: "If we don't go there anymore, that's a surrender."

attacks and challenges in the election campaign

The challenges with which the Left Party is confronted are anything but low. Schaper explains that there has been a dramatic increase in attacks since the Pegida movement in 2014. Over 22 attacks on her office have been registered, and she reports on an explosive attack on the car of a colleague. These attacks are not only attacks on the individual, but also on the political climate in Saxony. "Every time our heart slips into our pants when a call comes again," she describes the constant concern about the security of her colleagues and herself.

A worrying development is that these attacks are apparently also systematic. Schaper draws parallels to the oppression mechanisms in the 1930s, where political commitment was often answered by force. "You take the paper out of your hand and light it out. It started.

Despite these depressing circumstances, there is also a spark of hope in the Left Party. Schaper emphasizes that there are many people who appreciate and support the values of their party. "We have a lot of new entries," she says proudly and refers to the dedicated election campaign, which will continue despite the adverse circumstances. Their conviction is that the topics that the Left Party takes up and represents are of crucial importance for many people, even if they are not always very well received.

The presence of the left campaign

The despair about the real political situation and the concerns about their own supporters and members are omnipresent. Schaper wonders how it can go on when more and more people lose faith in the left, while the perceived political center is moving further and further to the right. "What causes left -wing people to choose CDU?" She asks provocatively and warns that such decisions can ultimately lead to further strengthening the extreme rights.

The upcoming election campaign is in the light of these conflicts. Schaper sees the need to take up topics that ignore other parties, and the Left Party faces this challenge with determination. "I am firmly convinced that if we no longer existed, the country would be poorer because we occupy topics that no one else occupies." Their clear message is that even in times of upheaval and threats, the left remains an important and indispensable part of the political landscape of Germany.

A call to solidarity in difficult times

at a time when political discourse is increasingly shaped by extreme positions, the Left Party remains an important part of the democratic discussion. The current challenges in the election campaign require enormous determination, not only by the party members, but also by society as a whole. Schaper and her colleagues call to defend the values of democracy and maintain mutual respect, even if the political atmosphere is tense. It is a passionate appeal that every single responsibility assumes and is strong for an inclusive and respectful political culture.

political and social framework in Saxony

The political landscape in Saxony has been shaped by a variety of challenges since reunification. First of all, the persistently high consent for the alternative for Germany (AfD) in this region represents an essential feature, especially in rural areas. According to the Saxon state government the AfD achieved 27.5 % of the votes in the last state elections in 2019 and is therefore one of the strongest parties in the country. This development has led to a fragmentation of the political landscape, in which the left, which is traditionally a strong voice for socio -political issues, has to fight against a growing right -wing extremist current.

In addition, many communities suffer from structural problems such as demographic change and economic stagnation. These factors help to ensure that right-wing populist and extremist groups, such as the neo-Nazi scene, were able to gain a foothold in certain areas. These social framework conditions create a tense climate for political campaigns, especially for left -wing parties, which are often perceived as a threat.

Current statistics and challenges

In order to illustrate the challenges that the left and other parties have to face, it is important to look at current statistics. A survey of the Institute for Demoscopy from 2023 shows that 45% of the respondents in Saxony have believed that their economic situation has deteriorated in recent years, which has been confirmed by the concerns about social uncertainties. In addition, 61% of the respondents stated that they did not feel sufficiently represented in the political discussion.

This shows that not only the campaign strategies of the parties, but above all the topics of social justice, poverty -related inequality and the distribution of resources have to focus on being heard in voters. The pressure on the left, relevant and urgent social issues is getting bigger and greater because voters are looking for authentic, solution -oriented approaches.