Heidi Reichinnek, the AfD, and the Left's Double Standards - Thuringia's Left Party stuns critics with accidental AfD alliance on sports funding
In Thuringia, the Left Party (Die Linke) unexpectedly teamed up with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to pass a motion on sports funding. The vote, which took place with only two-thirds of lawmakers present, saw the combined support of the two parties outnumber the ruling coalition’s opposition. The result has sparked criticism and debate over political alliances in the state parliament. The motion, titled 'Save Sports Facilities—A New Golden Plan for Sports Is Needed', called for a state government initiative to improve sports infrastructure. The ruling coalition of the CDU, BSW, and SPD voted against it, but the Left Party’s 32 votes, combined with those from the AfD, secured its passage.
Left Party leaders insisted they had no prior agreement with the AfD. Christian Schaft, head of the Left’s state parliamentary group, stated they received no indication of how the AfD would vote. Heidi Reichinnek, the party’s federal leader, described the AfD’s support as a *'spontaneous shift on their part'* and claimed it was *'not what we wanted'*. The Left Party has defended its position by blaming others for the situation, arguing that their actions were not deliberate but a result of negligence. Critics, however, note that their justifications mirror those used by the CDU in past collaborations with the AfD. Meanwhile, the federal Green Party leadership condemned the Left’s move as a mistake. Reichinnek later emphasised that the party has *'no problem distancing ourselves from the AfD'* and declared, *'Never!'*—attempting to clarify their stance amid growing controversy.
The motion passed with 32 votes from the Left and AfD, defeating the 30 lawmakers from the ruling coalition. The outcome has raised questions about political strategy and accountability in Thuringia’s parliament. The Left Party now faces scrutiny over its handling of the vote and its relationship with far-right factions.
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