PDS second in Thuringia

[Johannes Schneider]

Chris Burford wrote:
> At 14:16 13/09/99 +0200, Johannes wrote, among other interesting comments:
>
> >Regarding the PDS something important has emerged in the election
analysis:
> >In the east the PDS is not longer primarily seen as the party of the old
> >East German leadership, but as the sole defender of social 'justice'.
> >Formerly the SPD was seen is this position thats the significane of the
PDS
> >coming in second.
> I wonder how much Johannes would say the PDS is doing more than
skirmishing
> with the SPD for the left edge of social democracy?
In some sense the PDS is a social-democratic party: e.g. claiming an
unspecified 'social justice' and seeing reform and parliament as the primary
way to change society. Of course they are not so closely linked with the
unions as traditional social-democratic parties in the west and they still
have their Stalinist past.
> Does it have the radically different approach to politics it claims?
I am not quite sure what you mean by it, but I dont see so much of a
different approach. The PDS is certainly not (and never claimed it) a
revolutionary party. Their strategy is undoubtely electoral and in the east
they are rooted in society. This does not mean they dont mobilize their
supporters for campaigns, but their main focus is the work inside parliament
and well-established institutions.
Internally members have a very large degree of freedom to organize in
specific platforms. The current Bisky-Gysi leadership is trying to hold
together the different wings of the party by allowing them a lot of freedom.
This certainly is a new approach compared to the practice of the past.
In the west the PDS is different. They are just a part of the far left and
since they are not represented in parliament mebers of the PDS actively work
in campaigns.
> Even if it is no longer seen as representing the old East German
> leadership, does it still represent an important point of view that not
> everything under state socialism was bad. If so, can it take any of that
> forward?
Do you mean whether they stand for something like 'socialism'? Only in a
very vague way. They are as much socialist as Christian Democrats are
Christians.
Johannes