Replication Data for: Between Left-Authoritarians, Sympathy for Russia, and Political Discontent: The Correlates of Voting for the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW)

A new party has entered the German political landscape: The Bündnis
Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). After years of debate that her former party, The
Left, had become “too liberal,” one of Germany’s most prominent politicians, Sahra
Wagenknecht, founded her new party in January 2024. The BSW is described as
blending socioeconomic leftist and sociocultural conservative positions, potentially
attracting voters by positioning itself as a “left-authoritarian” party. Additionally, the
BSW holds pro-Russia stances and anti-elitist sentiments. The party made a significant
impact in 2024, achieving 6.2% in the European elections and securing third
place in the state elections of Saxony and Thuringia. This raises the question: What
underlying factors are drawing individuals to support the BSW? Using wave 26 of
the German Longitudinal Election Study Panel, which includes the BSW, this article
compares intended vote choice within Germany to actual votes cast in the 2024
European elections. Drawing on theories related to policy considerations and protest
motivations in supporting new parties, three key findings emerge: First, left-authoritarian
and pro-Russia attitudes are positively associated with support for the BSW.
Second, populist attitudes and dissatisfaction with the federal government also drive
individuals toward the BSW. Third, this might, however, be largely overshadowed
by a strong impact of the favorability toward Sahra Wagenknecht.