# Die Linke political positioning in Germany

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/die-linke-political-positioning-in-germany
> Updated: 2026-08-09T00:45:50.000Z. Sources: 44. Developments: 2.

Luigi Pantisano, co-leader of the German political party Die Linke, has signaled a willingness to cooperate with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to prevent the influence of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt state elections on September 6, where polls indicate the AfD is leading followed by the CDU and Die Linke, Pantisano has indicated his party may support CDU candidate Sven Schulze for Minister-President. This pragmatic approach follows Pantisano’s retraction of previous comments in which he compared CDU policies to those of the AfD; he described those remarks as “incorrect” and offered an apology, stating, “My statement was wrong and I have apologized for it.” While the CDU maintains an official policy of non-cooperation with both the AfD and Die Linke, Pantisano has challenged the CDU to act responsibly to block far-right rule.

In Berlin, Pantisano continues to advocate for housing reform, specifically the expropriation of large real estate corporations like Vonovia and Deutsche Wohnen to reduce rents. He argues that these corporations prioritize shareholder returns over affordable housing, asserting that the party is acting on a mandate from a previous public referendum. This stance remains a point of tension with the SPD, which has rejected expropriation as a condition for forming a coalition government.

## Claims

- The Left party continues to advocate for the expropriation of large housing corporations in Berlin. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Luigi Pantisano advocates for the expropriation of large housing corporations in Berlin to lower rents. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Luigi Pantisano will not rule out supporting a CDU Minister-President in Saxony-Anhalt to prevent an AfD government. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is leading in polls, followed by the CDU, with the Left in third place. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The CDU currently officially excludes cooperation with both the AfD and the Left. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Luigi Pantisano retracted a previous statement where he compared the CDU to the AfD and fascists. (corroborated by 7 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-09: Luigi Pantisano may support CDU to block AfD in Saxony-Anhalt

Left party leader Luigi Pantisano may support the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt to block an AfD government. He also retracted past 'fascist' remarks and reaffirmed calls for housing expropriation in Berlin.

41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/die-linke-leader-calls-for-housing-expropriation-and-considers-cdu-support

### 2026-08-05: Luigi Pantisano Calls for Die Linke‑CDU Cooperation Ahead of Saxony‑Anhalt Election

Die Linke chief Luigi Pantisano urges CDU cooperation, apologises for earlier criticism, and notes potential post‑election coalition in Saxony‑Anhalt to keep the AfD out.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luigi-pantisano-calls-for-die-linkecdu-cooperation-ahead-of-saxonyanhalt-election

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Cite as: Die Linke political positioning in Germany. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/die-linke-political-positioning-in-germany