Germany's far-left party picks lead candidates for expected election

Germany's embattled far-left party, Die Linke (The Left), has selected its lead candidates for anticipated early elections, it announced at a press conference on Sunday.

The election campaign, once a date is set, will be spearheaded by the party's co-leader Jan van Aken and parliamentary chair Heidi Reichinnek.

"We are entering this election campaign united and as one," said fellow co-leader Ines Schwerdtner, noting that the party had made the decision jointly.

Germany needs a strong left, van Aken posted on the social media platform X. "There should not be any billionaires. They have not earned their wealth; they have taken it from all of us. Now, we are taking it back," he wrote.

Die Linke has seen its support collapse following the departure last year of one of its leading figures, Sahra Wagenknecht, to form a new party in her own name. At present it is unclear whether Die Linke would pass the 5% hurdle needed to enter parliament.

Party leaders van Aken and Schwerdtner have only been in office for a few weeks.