August 7, 2025
Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo on August 5 in Hiroshima City held talks with Martin Schirdewan of Germany’s Left Party (Die Linke), co-chair of the Left in the European Parliament.
Shii noted that in the February German federal election, the Left Party increased its seats to 68 from the pre-election strength of 24, and said that the party in its election campaign clearly showed a stance to fight against military expansion and fascism, which Shii thought was notable.
Schirdewan explained that in the election campaign, while the conservative opposition group cooperated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (Afd) on the policy of restricting immigration, the Social Democratic Party-led ruling block was unable to make an effective counterproposal. He said that under this situation, the Left Party appealed to voters so that they would understand that the party is the only political party opposing the increase in military spending and resurgence of fascism. This contributed to the party’s major advance, he added.
Talking about the July House of Councillors election, Shii cited that in preparation for the election, the JCP had conducted activities and events of listening to people about their demands in order to increase public support for the party. He said that although the JCP failed to achieve the expected results in the election, it has built new connections with many voters through that activity, which is a great treasure.
Schirdewan cited the importance of engaging in dialogue with people through door-to-door canvasing at the grassroots level, and said that his party has welcomed nearly 80,000 new members through that activity. He went on to say that his party sees new party members’ participation in various activities as important, which is helping to attract more people.
The two exchanged views on various topics, such as the issue of solidarity among left-wing and progressive forces in the world and the role of left-wing forces in the developed capitalist countries.
Shii noted that in the February German federal election, the Left Party increased its seats to 68 from the pre-election strength of 24, and said that the party in its election campaign clearly showed a stance to fight against military expansion and fascism, which Shii thought was notable.
Schirdewan explained that in the election campaign, while the conservative opposition group cooperated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (Afd) on the policy of restricting immigration, the Social Democratic Party-led ruling block was unable to make an effective counterproposal. He said that under this situation, the Left Party appealed to voters so that they would understand that the party is the only political party opposing the increase in military spending and resurgence of fascism. This contributed to the party’s major advance, he added.
Talking about the July House of Councillors election, Shii cited that in preparation for the election, the JCP had conducted activities and events of listening to people about their demands in order to increase public support for the party. He said that although the JCP failed to achieve the expected results in the election, it has built new connections with many voters through that activity, which is a great treasure.
Schirdewan cited the importance of engaging in dialogue with people through door-to-door canvasing at the grassroots level, and said that his party has welcomed nearly 80,000 new members through that activity. He went on to say that his party sees new party members’ participation in various activities as important, which is helping to attract more people.
The two exchanged views on various topics, such as the issue of solidarity among left-wing and progressive forces in the world and the role of left-wing forces in the developed capitalist countries.
