Populist split on German left a ‘gift’ to the far right, leader says

The co - leader of Germany ' s far - left Die Linke ( The Left ) blamed the upstart populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance ( BSW ) for the party ' s poor showing in state parliamentary elections in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony on Sunday . Die Linke ' s Martin Schirdewan also accused the founders of the BSW of boosting the far - right Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) and damaging left - wing politics in in the country . Sahra Wagenknecht , a former leader of Die Linke and the party ' s best - known politician , split from Die Linke and founded the BSW earlier this year after repeatedly clashing with left - wing colleagues over her staunch anti - immigration stances and right - wing positions on social issues such as gender . " It is clear that the right - wing split of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance has hurt my party in particular , but also the social left ," Schirdewan said during an appearance on public broadcaster ZDF . " You have to say that BSW is a gift for the AfD , because the social l eft and my party in particular are suffering as a result , but the extreme right is being strengthened by BSW and its positions ," he added . Die Linke saw its results plummet on Sunday compared to the most recent elections in both states . In Thuringia , where Die Linke won in 2019 and currently lead a coalition government , projected results show support falling by half . In Thuringia , an " essentially fascist party " - the AfD - had won a majority , Schirdewan said , something he said is extremely worrying . dpa jr vrb xxde bst era Source: The Namibia News Agency