- Date(s)
- October 5, 2023
- Location
- Hybrid event
- Time
- 12:00 - 13:30
- Price
- Free
Dr Sarah Wagner, Queen's University Belfast, “Strategy or Vacuum – Sahra Wagenknecht, The Left and a Left-Authoritarian Party for Germany”.
Abstract
The emergence of a new political party has the potential to reshape the entire political landscape, a phenomenon currently captivating Germany's political discourse. A notable focal point of discussion revolves around the prospect of a radical-left party, possibly spearheaded by Sahra Wagenknecht, former leader of The Left in the Bundestag. Wagenknecht's critique centres on The Left's alleged detachment from working-class concerns and its alignment with a left-liberal cosmopolitanism. In stark contrast, Wagenknecht’s stance against immigration positions her as a figure who could attract a broad spectrum of voters, transcending the traditional left-right divide by establishing a new left-authoritarian party. This party could fill the left-authoritarian political supply gap in Germany after years of substantive debate on the course of the political left. To understand whether the demand for such a party in Germany comes from leadership strategy or due to a vacuum in the party system, this research uses individual-level survey data to identify the demographic, ideological and valence factors that may lead people to vote for this potential splinter party. Importantly, this research examines the supply and demand of the new party from two perspectives. By delineating between two distinct scenarios—an entity led by Sahra Wagenknecht and a more abstract left-authoritarian party—this research aims to ascertain whether the pivotal determinant of the Wagenknecht party's potential triumph hinges on her personal charisma or the specific policy stances she advocates. Through analysing a variety of different factors that could potentially contribute to the success of this potential party, this research examines the relationship between structural, ideological and personality factors that play a role in the formation of a new party. Finally, this research fills the gap to what extent the Left Party can forge a viable path forward without Wagenknecht.
Hybrid event: 27 University Square/01/003 or Online via Microsoft Teams
| Name | Dr Michele Crepaz |
| m.crepaz@qub.ac.uk |