This is how left-wing groups want to demonstrate against the energy crisis

The “Hot Autumn” of social protests against rising prices and a lack of social cushioning has so far been more of an autumn of political fragmentation – despite the Left Party's belligerent slogans. The number of protest alliances is unclear. Mainly because, as is usual in the left spectrum, all sorts of arguments about politics and personnel prevent broader mergers.

At the first major demonstration in Leipzig in September, the Left Party argued about Sahra Wagenknecht, her attitude towards Russia and how to deal with demonstrators who are open to right-wing extremist ideas. At a protest in front of the Greens headquarters in Berlin, there were left-wing politicians as well as corona opponents from the Die Basis party. Right-wing extremist movements gathered in East Germany in particular and attracted attention with the display of right-wing extremist symbols and ethnic ideas.

An alliance "Solidarity Autumn" now wants to offer an alternative and "compete against division and hate speech". It calls for a fairer distribution of the burden of the crisis and shows solidarity with Ukraine. The Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband, which helped organize the alliance, is expecting almost 20,000 participants in protests in Berlin, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Hanover, Stuttgart and Frankfurt am Main on Saturday.

According to Ulrich Schneider, the managing director of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, the motto "Solidarity Autumn" was deliberately chosen to differentiate itself from the "Hot Autumn" of the Left Party leadership. "It's a latently aggressive term, and we don't want people who have aggression," says Schneider. The social activist left the Left Party in mid-September in protest against the pro-Russian rhetoric of the former parliamentary group leader Wagenknecht.

The demonstrators should now clearly commit themselves to Ukraine's struggle for freedom. "What's the alternative supposed to be: lay down your arms, the main thing is that the energy comes across?" asks Schneider. In the Wagenknecht wing of the Left Party, on the other hand, the prescribed Ukraine solidarity at the demos on Saturday is viewed critically. "I don't want to say that this is a wrong position," says Alexander King, member of the Berlin House of Representatives: "But people who have a different opinion on this conflict are also affected by the rising prices and want to take to the streets. According to King, committing to a certain line on questions of Russia policy should not be a prerequisite for taking part in Solidarity Autumn. "Otherwise it would have a divisive effect."

But according to Schneider, the members of their own association are demanding a clear stance on Ukraine. He got the feedback that they would only take part in the protest if there was a clear demarcation: "We definitely don't want to take to the streets with rights."

Discussions in relevant chat groups are already being followed in order to be prepared for attempts to infiltrate. If in doubt, you will be asked to take down unwanted posters on site. Anyone who leaves the event platform too clearly will be asked to leave. Schneider hopes that rainbow flags and climate demands will drive away rights.

In general, the “progressive” part of the political spectrum should gather. In addition to the social associations, the association also participates in the alliance Sanctions-free, which helps those affected by unemployment benefit II cuts. The trade union Ver.di, the nature conservation association BUND, Greenpeace and the citizens' movement Finanzwende are also on site. In the announcement video for the event, Fridays for Future activist Luisa Neubauer appears alongside Schneider.

Not only are social demands made, such as higher citizen income, 500 euros gross emergency aid or an affordable successor to the 9 euro ticket, but one also advocates a “nature-friendly expansion of renewable energies” and the “large-scale Expansion of climate-friendly infrastructure”. Schneider is convinced that social and ecological demands belong together: "Even the best pension reform is useless if we leave our children a destroyed planet and create hundreds of thousands of climate refugees."

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