Latest news with #JanvanAken
Russia Today
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
German opposition proposes replacement for NATO
Germany's Left Party co-leader Jan van Aken has called for NATO to be replaced with a new security alliance involving both Russia and the United States, arguing that the US-led military bloc 'has no future.'In an interview with Die Zeit published on Saturday, van Aken said the party continues to support its 2011 national platform, which called for Germany to exit NATO and help create a new collective security system.'We never wanted to abolish NATO without replacement but rather replace it with a cooperative security system,' van Aken said when asked whether Germany and its European allies could defend themselves without US support. He proposed a new model similar to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), focusing on peacekeeping and joint defense.'Something like OECD 2.0. A peace and defense alliance, together with Russia and the US. But of course, if we were to rebuild it, it would certainly require another ten years of confidence-building measures. NATO would still exist that long, but it no longer has a future,' he stated. Van Aken also called for the withdrawal of US troops stationed in Germany. 'Yes, and they should take their nuclear weapons with them,' he said, noting that nuclear stockpiles in France and the UK are already 'more than enough.'The politician confirmed that the vision of a demilitarized Europe remains central to the party's agenda. 'Of course I want to live in a country without an army. Don't you?' he month, Germany unveiled a new military aid package for Ukraine, including vehicles, air-defense rockets, and howitzers. Incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has indicated support for supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory. The Social Democrats, who are holding coalition talks with Merz's Christian Democrats, have opposed the move as a needless has warned that delivering the missiles would make Germany directly involved in the conflict, arguing that Ukrainian forces cannot operate the Taurus without the help of German personnel.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany's The Left party sees record gains since controversial vote
The Left Party has logged a record 81,200 members after an unprecedented wave of new members in recent weeks, the hard-left party, known as Die Linke, said on Monday. The increase is the largest seen since the party was founded in 2009. Since the controversial vote on January 29 in the German parliament involving a conservative measure - with unprecedented backing from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, 17,470 new members had joined the party, a party spokesman said, Party membership has risen by 23,500 since the beginning of the year, he said. The party leadership sees the mobilization of The Left in the election campaign as one reason for the wave of new members, but also the concern of many people about a shift to the right in Germany. 'The Left is growing and attracting more and more people who want fair politics,' said chairman Jan van Aken. People know that they can rely on the Left Party, he said. The average age of those who have joined since the beginning of January is 28.7 years, with women making up almost 53% of the new members, party figures show. This means that the average age of all members is now 43.31 years, with women making up a good 42% of the party's membership. Joining the party is very easy: you simply go to the website, enter your personal details and sign a declaration that you agree with the party's principles. The monthly membership fee starts at €1.50 ($1.55) for people with no income of their own or who receive social benefits, and then increases in stages. For those earning €2,500, the fee is €85 per month; for those earning more than that, it is 4% of net income.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany's The Left wants billionaires' wealth halved in 10 years
Germany's The Left on Saturday presented a five-point plan to halve the wealth of the country's billionaires within 10 years. "There should be no billionaires," said the plan, which was adopted by the party executive, two weeks before Germany heads to the polls on February 23. The hard-left party is fighting to achieve the 5% threshold usually needed to enter Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag. In the paper, the party calls for the reintroduction of the wealth tax, a one-off wealth levy on the rich and higher income taxes. The revenue raised would be channelled into public projects such as education and local transport. Assets of €50 million ($52 million) would face annual 5% taxes, while assets over €1 billion would be taxed at 12%. The plan also includes a one-off tax for the richest 0.7% of citizens, starting at 10% for those with assets above €2 million. In addition, the party would introduce taxes of 60% on annual income above €250,000 and 75% above €1 million. Party co-leader Jan van Aken justified the plan with a reference to the United States. He said the new administration under President Donald Trump was "made up of the super-rich and right-wingers who will do anything to secure their wealth and power." Wealthy Germans are also trying to use their money to gain influence, van Aken argued.
