Germany: Left defeat by Nazi minister who supported Bolsonaro

This Sunday’s German election (23) brought an emblematic result: Beatrix von Storch, one of the main figures of the far right of the country, lost his chair in Parliament to Ines Schwerdtner, Left Party leader (Die Linke). Beatrix, 53, granddaughter of former Adolf Finance Minister Hitler, Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk, was defeated in the Berlin-Lichtenberg electoral district, where he was representative of the Alternative to Germany (AFD).

The election, marked by the highest growth of the far right since the Nazi government, had the winner of the Conservative Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU). However, Die Linke surprised by winning 8.8% of the votes, ensuring significantly greater representativeness in Parliament.

Beatrix von Storch: a controversial figure of the far right

Beatrix von Storch has become one of the main voices of AFD, a nationalist-conservative party that has consolidated itself as the largest opposition force in Germany, with 86 chairs. Known for her fiery statements against immigrants and progressive movements, she gained international notoriety by meeting former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in 2021. At the time, he defended the global connection between conservatives to face the left.

Among his controversies, Beatrix has already defended the use of weapons against immigrants on the border and criticized the presence of the Arab language in official communications of the German police. His positions earned him investigations for possible violations of the law against hatred crimes.

Despite his alignment with figures such as Donald Trump and Steve Bannon, and his effort to strengthen the extreme global right, Beatrix failed to keep his mandate in Bundestag, symbolizing a setback for the rise of his ideology.

INES SCHWERDTNER: The rise of a new left

The victory of INES SCHWERDTNER represents a change in the political landscape of Lichtenberg district. Journalist and former editor of the German edition of Jacobin magazine, Schwerdtner, 35, managed to renew Die Linke’s electorate, ensuring a significant victory with 34% of the votes.

The socialist campaign stood out for defending guidelines such as accessible housing, rental control and reducing basic costs, such as food and public transportation. In addition, the party had a great appeal among first -time voters, winning 27% of this audience.

Die Linke’s growth was also driven by a viral speech by candidate Heidi Reichinnek, condemning the conservative’s decision to vote alongside AFD. This movement strengthened party perception as the main anti -fascist opposition.

The future of German policy

The result of the elections reflects a polarized Germany, where the growth of the far right is opposed to the resilience of a renewed left. AFD is still a significant force, especially among the working class, where it obtained 38% of the votes. However, the rejection of this ideological line has strengthened progressive movements, as shown in Schwerdtner’s victory.

With a government led by conservatives and an opposition divided between the far right and the socialists, Germany prepares for a period of intense political debates. Beatrix von Storch’s defeat may be a symbol that, despite the advance of the far right, there is still room for resistance and reconstruction of a policy based on inclusion and social justice.