A Surprising Showing in the 2024 European Elections: Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW Party
In a remarkable turn of events, Sahra Wagenknecht's newly formed political alliance has garnered significant support in the 2024 European elections. Despite being only six months old, the party managed to secure approximately six percent of the vote. According to Prof. Jürgen Falter, a political scientist at the University of Mainz, this is 'an excellent result' considering the party's recent inception and its relatively unknown candidates. This success signals potential for future elections, particularly in the eastern regions of Germany, where the party's mix of conservative and right-wing social policies coupled with left-wing approaches to social and economic issues has resonated with many voters.
BSW’s Impact and Voter Base
The BSW's success is notably profound in the eastern German states, including Berlin, where it achieved around 13 percent of the vote, placing it third behind the AfD and the Union. Prof. Falter highlights that the BSW's attractiveness lies in its 'symbolically relatively attractive program' that appeals to workers and lower-level employees who feel disenfranchised by established parties. Notably, the BSW has drawn significant support from voters who previously aligned with the SPD and the Left, reflecting a dissatisfaction with the existing political landscape. ZDF projections revealed that 18 percent of BSW voters previously supported the Left, and nine percent were former SPD voters. Interestingly, a large proportion of these voters were previously non-voters.
The election results also indicated a shift among young voters under the age of 24, who showed a preference for radical and new political movements over established parties. While the Greens suffered a significant loss with a 24 percent decrease compared to 2019, both the AfD and the BSW made gains, with a 12 percent and 6 percent increase respectively.
The European elections have thus underscored the shifting political dynamics in Germany, revealing a growing appetite for new political voices and a departure from traditional party allegiances. This evolving landscape could potentially reshape future electoral strategies and alliances.
- While Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW was making waves, the Europe Ecology list of Ecologists-EELV led by Marie Toussaint faced a contrasting fate. The party managed to secure around 5.5 percent of the vote, just above the threshold needed to maintain representation in the European Parliament. This result is a stark contrast to their performance five years ago when they achieved 13.5 percent, becoming the leading left-wing force.
- Facing internal criticism and calls for unity among left-wing parties, Marie Toussaint acknowledged the party's defeat as 'dry and bitter.' She emphasized the need for collective action and hinted at possible strategic shifts, including a more collaborative approach with other left-wing forces, as suggested by Yannick Jadot. This call for unity comes at a critical time, with the political landscape becoming increasingly fragmented.
