Left party (Germany)

Formation

The Party of democratic socialism proceeded at the beginning of several socialist of the communist East Germany and of some of the West Germany. Later the Left party proceeded of a left current of the social democrat Parti Germany directed by Oskar Lafontaine and supported by trade unionists.

In the first elections in reunified Germany of December 1990 the PDS obtains 10% of the votes in old the Germany of the East giving him 17 seats to the Bundestag. In October 1994 it obtains 4 direct mandates (all in East Berlin), which enabled him to be represented at the Parliament by 30 deputies, although its total score on all Germany (4,4%) was below the threshold of the 5% necessary for a representation proportional. In 1998, it arrived to 5,1%, which ensured the presence of 36 deputies to him.

But in 2002, the results were more disappointing, since with a score (4,3%) located in-on this side 5% and only two directly elected deputies (Petra Pau and Gesine Lötzsch), it could not form a group at the Bundestag.

The left party took part in the coalitions with SPD which manage the Berlin. It controls many town halls in Länder of the East.

The chief of the party was Lothar Bisky which succeeded Gabi Zimmer in 2003. Gregor Gysi, which occupied this function in the past, remained one of the most influential leaders of the left party.

The PDS took part in the foundation of the Parti the European left (PGE).

Lastly, at the time of the election of 2004 to the the European Parliament, PDS accepted 6,1% of the votes and 7 seats, is a seat moreover compared to the preceding poll.

Alliance PDS-WASG

In July 2005, the PDS and WASG announce their alliance for the federal elections of the September 18th 2005 and receive the reinforcement of Oskar Lafontaine which leaves SPD. To symbolize the new relation, the PDS changa its name in Left party with the optional use of letters “PDS” left with the discretion of the regional federations. This strategy permetta with the party to reach 8,7% and to regain the parliamentary statute of group to the the Bundestag, in front of the Alliance 90/the Greens but behind FDP of many seats.

To the elections of the Land of Bremen the May 13rd 2007, the Left party passed for the first time the bar of the 5% in an regional election in Germany of the West with 8,4% (+ 6,7%), benefitting from the distrust towards the two parties of the government coalition.

The June 16th 2007 the Left party amalgamates with the electoral Alternative work and social justice and forms the new party the Left.

Not-alliance with the left parties

With the the Bundestag, the theoretical configuration Green + Social democrat + DIE LINKE has an absolute majority. However, this alliance is refused categorically on the two sides. The Left party is in major dissension with these two parties which it indicates like néolibéraux. On their side, in their majority the Alliance 90/the Greens and SPD purely see it like a party protestor and populist and reproach him for being the direct successor of SED, the party of State of GDR.

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