European Left in Berlin
Berlin has long stood at the crossroads of political struggle, resistance, and democratic debate. On 10 January, the city once again became a meeting point for the European left, hosting the Political Secretariat and Leadership meetings of the European Left Party.
Representatives from across the continent gathered to assess the current political situation and to advance preparations for the Party Congress scheduled to take place in Brussels in April 2026.
The discussions reaffirmed the European Left’s shared priorities: defending working-class rights, opposing imperialist aggression, promoting peace, and advancing a people-centred alternative to austerity. In a context marked by deepening inequality, growing authoritarianism, and renewed far-right mobilisation, these commitments remain more urgent than ever. Strengthening coordination and solidarity across borders was identified as essential to meeting these challenges.
Beyond the formal meetings, the gathering also created valuable space for dialogue and political exchange. Participation in the New Year’s Reception of Die Linke allowed delegates to deepen cooperation with left-wing partners from across Europe, exchanging perspectives and strategies for the year ahead. These encounters once again highlighted the importance of international cooperation in confronting shared political and social realities.
The programme also included a moment of collective remembrance. European Left President Walter Baier, together with delegates, paid tribute to Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. Their unwavering commitment to workers’ rights, democracy, and peace continues to resonate in contemporary struggles. Luxemburg’s sharp political analysis and Liebknecht’s courageous opposition to militarism remain enduring examples of principled resistance. Their murder by reactionary forces stands as a stark reminder of the violence historically used to suppress movements for social transformation.
As the European Left looks toward 2026 and beyond, the meetings held in Berlin reinforced the inseparable link between political purpose and historical memory.
They served as a reminder that building a Europe that is social, democratic, and peaceful demands courage, persistence, and collective action.
