00:00 Pledging to counter the rise of the far-right in Germany, a newly formed leftist party,
00:06 the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (PSW), unveiled a populist agenda at its inaugural National
00:12 Congress.
00:13 Led by Sarah Wagenknecht, a well-known former leader of the left party, the party outlined
00:19 proposals for increased pensions, reduced defence spending and a departure from costly
00:25 climate policies.
00:28 In anticipation of upcoming regional and European elections, delegates at the Congress criticised
00:33 the entire political spectrum, spanning from left to right.
00:38 As the far-right alternative for Germany, AfD, continues to gather approximately 20
00:43 per cent support in national opinion polls, attracting voters from traditional parties,
00:49 the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (PSW) is gaining attention.
00:52 With a polling standing of 8 per cent in one eastern state, analysts speculate that the
00:59 PSW could disrupt the AfD's influence.
01:02 While the AfD trails behind the opposition conservatives at 31 per cent, it maintains
01:07 a significant lead over the three parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition,
01:13 which collectively polls at 32 per cent.
01:17 The political landscape in Germany is evolving, with the PSW emerging as a potential factor
01:23 in the upcoming elections.
01:25 Expressing concerns about the state of democracy, Sarah Wagenknecht stated to Reuters on Saturday,
01:31 "We fear that the anger and disagreement in the country will be seized upon by the
01:36 AfD.
01:37 We don't think people think radical, right.
01:40 They just want a voice that they don't have with other parties."
01:45 Despite some policy similarities with the AfD, such as the shared stance of ending weapons
01:50 deliveries to Ukraine, both parties did not address the origins of the conflict involving
01:56 a Russian invasion during the Congress.
01:59 The Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (PSW) is positioning itself as an alternative voice for those who
02:04 feel unheard by existing political parties.
02:08 At a former cinema on East Berlin's Karl-Max-Ali, Sarah Wagenknecht and her party criticised
02:14 Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition, accusing it of prioritising identity politics
02:20 over people's material concerns.
02:23 The party, with a robust presence in the former East Germany, resonates with its message of
02:28 high social spending and financial security in challenging economic times.
02:33 Wagenknecht depicted government and opposition as representatives of the comfortable elite,
02:40 targeting Green ministers Robert Hebeck and Amanella Baerbock for pursuing impractical
02:46 and costly schemes.
02:47 While ruling out collaboration with the AfD, the PSW faces its first electoral challenge
02:54 in three upcoming state elections in the East where the AfD remains a dominant force in
02:59 polls.
03:00 Wagenknecht's foreign policy stances may present additional hurdles in forming alliances with
03:05 other parties.
03:12 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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