ABSTRACT
In 2007 the German party Die Linke (DL) emerged as a result of the merger between the Partei des Demokratischen Sozialismus (PDS) and the Wahlalternative: Arbeit und Soziale Gerechtigkeit (WASG). The PDS, in turn, was the successor of the communist and authoritarian Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschands (SED). The SED was the governing party in the former Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR). Although the party now condemns the socialist experience in the DDR, it also rejects anti-communist prejudices and argues that important lessons can be drawn from the experiences in eastern Germany. Finally, DL focuses on gender equality, revitalization and more respect for eastern Germany and demilitarization. Although the results of several studies identifying PDS/DL support in elections will be reviewed by focusing on the 2009 election. This chapter explores the origins and ideology of the PDS/DL and explains socio-demographic and attitudinal profile of the voters of the PDS/DL. It discusses the electoral fate of the PDS/DL over time.
