Die Linke
Our analysis · imported snapshot
What it wants to change
Party says · 2025 manifesto
- Distribution: wealth/millionaire taxes, tougher inheritance taxation, substantial relief for low and middle incomes.[21]
- Work & welfare: minimum wage at least €15 and €16 by 2026 in the manifesto; a sanctions-free minimum-income system and higher minimum pensions.[21]
- Housing: federal rent cap, much more social housing and public ownership of very large housing portfolios.[21]
- Fiscal policy: abolish the debt brake and finance large public investment.[21]
- Migration: defend asylum rights, expand safe/legal routes, oppose externalisation and broad border closures.[21]
- Climate: faster, regulation-led transition with the cost concentrated on high emitters and the wealthy rather than low-income households.[21]
- Foreign policy: prioritise diplomacy, arms control and disarmament; drastically restrict the Bundeswehr's expeditionary role.[21]
The party explicitly identifies democratic socialism and structural change in ownership and economic power as its long-term project, not merely a larger welfare state.[22]
Following, strongholds & government footprint
It remains stronger in eastern Germany and Berlin, but its 2025 comeback broadened westward and was especially strong among younger voters. In 2025 its best constituencies were in Berlin; bpb notes that although the East still overperforms, most of its voters now live in the West simply because of population size.[23]
Today: 64-seat federal opposition; its new 2026–28 chairs are Ines Schwerdtner and Luigi Pantisano. Historically it led Thuringia under Bodo Ramelow (2014–24) and has also participated in Land coalitions.[38]