Sahra Wagenknecht, founder of the BSW party, has called for a new ‘East German’ approach to democracy while criticizing political isolation tactics against the AfD during a campaign event in Dessau.

At a campaign rally in Dessau, Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW party, proposed a fresh democratic model tailored to East Germany. She criticized the political establishment for maintaining a ‘firewall’ against the far-right AfD, arguing that such exclusionary tactics are incompatible with true democratic principles. Wagenknecht also condemned what she described as a growing ‘hatred of Russians’ in the country, signaling her party’s distinct stance on foreign policy and national unity.

The event, held in Dessau’s city center, drew a mixed crowd of supporters and media. While Wagenknecht’s party sought to energize its base with promises of political change, the AfD held a parallel event nearby, with its candidate Ulrich Siegmund attracting significant attention. Siegmund, described by some as a rising star in German politics, engaged with supporters and signed autographs, underscoring the AfD’s growing momentum in the region. The proximity of the two events highlighted the increasingly blurred lines between the parties, as BSW leaders openly signaled a willingness to cooperate with the AfD under certain conditions.

BSW co-leaders used the rally to emphasize their opposition to the traditional political establishment, vowing not to support any CDU-led government and calling for a complete political reset. The party’s controversial openness to facilitating an AfD-led government, even through abstention in key votes, has sparked significant debate. As the campaign heats up, Wagenknecht’s push for a new democratic vision and her party’s overtures to the AfD are likely to remain focal points in the political discourse.