Ines Schwerdtner
Co-chair of Die Linke and Member of the Bundestag for Berlin-Lichtenberg · Die Linke (The Left)
Where they stand
The latest thing they said on each issue, dated. Tap an issue for their words and the source.
Economy and energy
Debt brake Abolish the debt brake
Said
Instead of spending cuts, Die Linke calls for bringing back the wealth tax and abolishing the debt brake.
“Statt Kürzungen fordern wir die Wiedereinführung der Vermögensteuer und die Abschaffung der Schuldenbremse, damit der Alltag in diesem Land wieder funktioniert.”
Our translation Instead of cuts, we demand the reintroduction of the wealth tax and the abolition of the debt brake, so that everyday life in this country works again.
Source Deutscher Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 21/23 (16 September 2025), budget debate
- Nuclear powerNothing on record yet
- Combustion enginesNothing on record yet
Society
- AsylumNothing on record yet
Citizen's income Keep or raise it
Said
She accused the government of wanting to cut the subsistence minimum instead of getting fewer people to depend on the Bürgergeld.
“Statt darüber nachzudenken, wie man dafür sorgen kann, dass weniger Menschen auf Bürgergeld angewiesen sind, wollen Sie das Existenzminimum kürzen.”
Our translation Instead of thinking about how to make sure that fewer people depend on Bürgergeld, you want to cut the subsistence minimum.
Source Deutscher Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 21/27 (24 September 2025), economy budget debate
Military service No conscription
Said
Bringing back compulsory military service would be a step back into a past Germany has already left behind.
“Das wäre ein Schritt in die Vergangenheit, die wir zum Glück schon längst abgeschlossen haben.”
Our translation That would be a step into the past, which fortunately we closed long ago.
Source Linke zu Zivildienst: Junge Leute als billige Arbeitskräfte (ZDF heute journal update interview, excerpts on zdfheute.de) (as reported by zdfheute.de)
Germany in the world
Ukraine Stop arms for Ukraine
Said
Calling Putin a fascist and a dictator does not mean Die Linke wants to supply weapons; she says peace can only come through negotiations.
“Das heißt aber nicht, dass wir gleichzeitig sagen, dass wir Waffen liefern wollen.”
Our translation But that does not mean that at the same time we say that we want to supply weapons.
Source Schwerdtners Aussagen im Faktencheck (ZDF summer interview, quoted on zdfheute.de) (as reported by zdfheute.de)
Arms for Israel Limit or stop arms to Israel
Said
The first thing the government must do is stop all arms exports to Israel immediately.
“Stopp aller Waffenexporte nach Israel, sofort.”
Our translation Stop all arms exports to Israel, immediately.
Source Deutscher Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 21/10 (5 June 2025), debate on Gaza
Who they would work with
Working with the AfD No cooperation with the AfD
Said
After AfD candidates were elected to lead the Saxony-Anhalt parliament, she said the CDU must never again help the AfD to offices or majorities.
“Bundeskanzler Merz muss jetzt dafür sorgen, dass seine Partei aufklärt, was in ihren Reihen passiert ist, und der AfD nie wieder zu Ämtern oder Mehrheiten verhilft.”
Our translation Chancellor Merz must now make sure that his party clears up what happened in its ranks and never again helps the AfD to offices or majorities.
No change of mind on record yet: every position above is the latest they have stated, with its date.
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.