Linke leader Pantisano pushes full public ownership while denying antisemitism accusations

Luigi Pantisano, head of the German left-wing party Linke, reiterated the party’s goal to place energy, mobility, housing and water in public hands, arguing that one outlet focus on alleged antisemitism is a campaign to undermine that objective. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk, he stressed Linke’s official stance against any form of antisemitism and its commitment to protecting Jewish life, while conceding that antisemitic attitudes can be found across the political spectrum.

Pantisano accused the Israeli government of war crimes in Gaza and dismissed accusations that his criticism amounts to antisemitism, noting that the German government supplies weapons used in the conflict. He also defended Berlin MP Vanessa Emde’s controversial remark that states lack an inherent right to exist, saying it is a legally accurate observation but politically charged. Throughout, he rejected blanket condemnations of Linke based on isolated statements, insisting the party’s broader platform remains focused on public ownership of essential services.