25.11.2004

Of the left, not far left

Klaus Ernst (right), pictured with Thomas Händel, spoke to the Weekly Worker

In April we witnessed the biggest demonstrations since the end of the war and the resistance in people’s heads has not lessened. But our task now is to channel resistance into democratic channels and a new organisation. Otherwise, we leave the field to the extreme right, which has done very well in recent elections. We have recruited 6,000 members in less than six months - that is quite something.

The SPD of course is very worried about. Just a few days ago, we were accused of misusing union equipment for WASG purposes. This is an obvious attempt to undermine us and our organisation - from people who do exactly what they accuse us of for the SPD.

In your opening speech, you warned against the infiltration of groups who “normally meet in telephone booths”. Who were you referring to?

I do not want to name any particular organisation. There are people who are attracted to our project. But if that is the case, then they should participate properly and fully. The main question is, why are they participating? If they think they can jump on the bandwagon and use the WASG for their own agenda, then they should think again. We have to be clear that the basis of this organisation is the left, not the far left.

Lothar Bisky, leader of the Party of Democratic Socialism, is calling for an electoral pact for the 2006 parliamentary elections: the PDS in the east, the WASG in the west. Wouldn’t it be a disaster if two leftwing parties stood against each other?

If we were to be perceived as the west German wing of the PDS, then our project would be finished. But it is up to the party to make this decision. If you ask me, I am confident that there will be no joint list with the PDS. We want to stand in the whole of Germany as an independent party. If we were elected anywhere, we would of course work together with all those who aim for similar things, but I cannot imagine there will be any electoral deal.

The PDS has lost a lot of support because of the neoliberal politics of the coalitions it has joined in some federal states. Is the WASG clear about its commitment to remain an opposition party, as many delegates demanded?

I cannot see any party that would want to form a government with us, so the question does not really arise.

But what if the WASG held the balance of power?

The condition for any deal would be that the other parties would have to commit themselves to our programme and our demands and form a government for work and social justice. At the moment, I cannot see any party doing that - so, yes, we will be a party of opposition.

There were a number of motions that called on the WASG to commit itself to paying its representatives only the average wage of a skilled worker.

As we are not a party yet, we are not ready to make decisions like that - the commissions for the programme and constitution will be drawing up proposals on such questions. But, speaking personally, I find this very wrong. If we adopt such an approach, we might have a problem finding anybody who would want to stand or work for us!

There were also a number of motions that wanted to prevent anybody with an elected position in the party from becoming a member of parliament. I find it extremely stupid to take such a generalised approach - it should be discussed in each individual case.

I must say, though, that these kinds of motions come from a desire to build a new kind of organisation. Many of our members feel that the old parties like the SPD and the Greens take their membership for a ride and make decisions over their heads. The question of control and transparency is very important.