The media were keen for a real wide split in the Left Party. In truth, a lot of the members feared the same. The long-standing quarrel between the two wings -- often called the reformers versus the fundamentalists -- had crippled activities in the party far too long. It seemed very possible that all the hopes of past years might be buried at the election congress this past weekend in Goettingen. The party's victory in 2009, with nearly 12 percent of the national vote and 76 deputies in the Bundestag, had been frittered away; there had been one defeat after another on the state level; the national polling figures had dropped to about 6 percent, thus threatening the ability of the party to even remain in the Bundestag after next year's elections. The other parties were simply ignoring the Left as if it was already a goner, and the key role of the Left as an example and support for leftist parties all over Europe had all but disappeared. Would the Gottingen congress sound a tinny death knell to all the old hopes?
If you believe some of the media you might think it did. Some journalists dug hard to explore and exploit any differences, disappointments, or disagreements. That is, after all, their assignment. But it would seem that they missed the boat.
Full article: http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2012/grossman050612.html