BERLIN — The Left party is experiencing an unexpected momentum boost less than two weeks before Germany’s national election.
Nearly 23,500 people have joined the far-left party since the start of the year, according to figures first reported by Der Spiegel, pushing its total to a record 81,200 — the highest since 2009.
The rise comes as left-wing voters mobilize against what they see as a growing rightward shift in German politics. “People want a fairer, more just policy,” said The Left co-chair Jan van Aken. “They know they can rely on us.” Party leaders say the influx reflects growing concerns over the political direction of the country as conservative forces gain ground ahead of the Feb. 23 election.
The new members skew younger and more female, potentially giving the party a fresh boost among progressive voters. The average age of recent recruits is 29, and 53 percent of them are women, shifting the party’s overall demographics to an average age of 43 and a 42 percent female membership share, according to Tagesspiegel.
The Left, which has faced internal divisions and weak polling in recent years, hopes this late surge will translate into electoral gains.
Recently, The Left has regained traction in the polls, averaging 5 percent — which would be enough to meet the threshold to keep the party in the Bundestag.
But its path remains uncertain. The party faces competition from the newly formed left-populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and must convince voters it can offer a credible alternative on the national stage.
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