Yesterday, with 42.5% of votes, the party of Chancellor Merkel arrived well ahead in the German parliamentary elections. CDU does not enjoy an absolute majority; the scenario of a new big coalition with the SPD is the most likely. SPD and the Greens reject a priori any coalition with Die Linke, which nevertheless emerged as the third political force in the country. This is a choice that turns its back on the needs of the popular classes in Germany and Europe.

Angela Merkel has led with an iron fist, with the complicity of the governments and the Troika, the application of austerity in Europe. She used the power of her country to protect the interests of finance and make untouchable the responsible of the crisis. She was behind the ideological disinformation campaign against southern Europe that has divided and made the extreme right increase. Her re-election is good news for finance but bad news for the peoples of Europe.

More than ever the Germans and Europeans will need to rely on a solidary Left, united and determined to be a clear alternative to a profound political change. The Party of the European Left welcomes the good result of Die Linke (8.6%). Its parliamentary group in the Bundestag will play an important role in the opposition and will be the support for the struggles. The other forces of the EL will be at their side to continue to carry the alternative, in our countries and at European level.

Party of the European Left
23 September 2013