The Left elects new leadership and adopts election programme

The Left in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reorganised itself in terms of personnel and programme on Saturday. Karen Larisch was elected vice state party leader of The Left and thus strengthens the party leadership ahead of the state election in September 2026.

On the same day, the party adopted its election programme – but not without friction. The Left adopted the election programme following a flood of motions, which indicates intense internal party debates. The concrete priorities the party sets become clear: it positions itself against the hard migration policy of its competitors.

Contrast to AfD strategy

This becomes particularly clear in contrast to the AfD, which adopted its programme on the same day. The Northeast AfD adopted an election programme with a hard line on migration – unanimously and without the debates that The Left went through. A political scientist summarises the AfD's positions: the party would prefer a "bed-bread-soap principle" for asylum seekers, an allusion to minimal state benefits.

The Left's reorganisation with Larisch in the vice position signals that the party takes the upcoming elections seriously. With the adopted programme, it positions itself as an alternative to the restrictive migration policies from the right – a central distinguishing feature in the 2026 election campaign.