Ramelow: Unity in Bundestag Presidium, Antisemitism Row Divides Left Party
Bundestag Vice President Bodo Ramelow of Die Linke describes cross-party cooperation in the parliament's presidium and the tensions within his own party. He criticises tactical manoeuvring by some lawmakers in the antisemitism debate.
Bodo Ramelow, a vice president of Germany's Bundestag (the lower house of parliament) from the left-wing party Die Linke, has given an unusual look inside the work of the chamber's presidium. He spoke to journalist Gordon Repinski in POLITICO's Berlin Playbook podcast, covering both cross-party cooperation in parliament and the strains inside his own party.
A presidium that works together
Ramelow says the world may be behaving erratically, but the Bundestag presidium, the parliament's leadership body, is marked by surprising consensus. Its members work together across party lines, including during night shifts. The conversation also explains the strategy the body uses to respond to provocations from the far-right AfD.
Turmoil in Die Linke
Inside Die Linke, meanwhile, tensions are running high. Ramelow speaks bluntly about the party's antisemitism debate and criticises the tactical hedging of individual lawmakers. He rejects a loyalty test based on political conviction, yet draws clear red lines on Israel's right to exist, an issue that, according to the discussion, reveals how deeply divided the party is.
The "Silberlocken"
Ramelow also says the way Die Linke is perceived in the Bundestag currently depends in part on the "Silberlocken" (silver locks), a group of senior party figures whose members regularly coordinate with one another. He adds that, despite the many crises, he does not let himself be rattled.
POLITICO and the newspaper WELT have also launched a new podcast, "Inside Links". Each week it examines whether a new left-wing majority could emerge in Germany, at what price, and who might sit at the government table.
