Berliners shift to the left

The success of the Left Party could give the European left as a whole a new lease of life, argues German studies scholar Guillaume Beringer in Le Monde:

“The Left Party’s reorientation and its victory in Berlin send a strong signal to the entire European left. They show that it is possible to reconcile radical agendas with political realism. … By prioritising practical issues (housing, wages, healthcare) over internal disputes and by placing the collective above the charismatic leader, The Left has succeeded where many have failed: it has become relevant once more. … If The Left manages to implement its plans on rent policy and govern over the long term, it could well pave the way for a new spring for the left – far beyond Germany’s borders.”