Left Party leadership candidate Pantisano open to alliance against AfD

Luigi Pantisano, a candidate for the leadership of Germany's Left Party (Die Linke), is campaigning on a platform focused on engaging more effectively with the working class. Running as part of a team with current party leader Ines Schwerdtner, Pantisano aims to challenge what he describes as "apparent reforms" in the labor market that could lead to excessively long working hours.

Speaking on ARD's "Morgenmagazin," Pantisano highlighted the anger of steel plant employees facing plans for more flexible working hours, potentially extending their workday to 13 hours. "We as the Left want to take up this anger" and lead the fight alongside them, he declared. Pantisano is competing against the current leadership, as Jan van Aken is not seeking re-election due to health reasons.

In a significant statement, Pantisano indicated a willingness to cooperate with the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) to prevent a government led by the AfD (Alternative for Germany). "Yes," he responded when asked about a potential alliance. He acknowledged that the "bigger question mark" might lie with the CDU but stressed the Left Party's fundamental anti-fascist identity. "We as the Left are an anti-fascist party, and we will do everything to ensure that fascism does not come to power," Pantisano stated, adding that cooperation would be considered if necessary.

However, Pantisano also emphasized that the party's primary goal is to win hearts and minds through campaigning to prevent the AfD from reaching a position where such alliances would be needed. "The Left Party will conduct a campaign and fight for every vote, to win the hearts and minds of the people so that the AfD does not even get into this situation," he added.

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