Robert Farle (born March 13, 1950) is a German politician and economist. He has been a member of the [[Bundestag]] (the German federal parliament) since 2021. Originally elected as a member of the [[Alternative for Germany]] (AfD) party, he later left the party in 2023 and subsequently joined the [[Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht – For Reason and Justice]] (BSW) in January 2024.
Early Life and Education Born in [[Eisleben]], [[East Germany]], Robert Farle studied economics. Prior to his political career, he worked as an economist, gaining experience in various sectors.
Political Career Farle became active in politics later in his life, eventually joining the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-wing populist party. He was elected to the Bundestag in the [[2021 German federal election]] as a direct candidate for the constituency of [[Mansfeld]].
During his tenure with the AfD, Farle was known for his critical stances on several government policies, particularly those related to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], energy policy, and the [[Eurozone]]. He was often considered part of the more conservative and nationalistic wing of the party.
In November 2023, Farle announced his departure from the AfD parliamentary group, citing disagreements with the party's direction and leadership. He initially sat as an independent member of the Bundestag. In January 2024, he became one of the founding members of the new left-populist party, the [[Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht – For Reason and Justice]] (BSW), led by [[Sahra Wagenknecht]], making a notable ideological shift from his previous political affiliation.
Political Positions and Views Throughout his political career, Robert Farle has advocated for policies he describes as serving German national interests. While with the AfD, his views aligned with that party's platform, including skepticism towards immigration, criticism of European integration, and advocating for a more independent German foreign policy. His move to the BSW suggests an alignment with that party's platform, which includes a focus on social justice, economic protectionism, and a critical stance on military interventions, while also maintaining a skeptical view on certain aspects of globalization and immigration, similar to some right-wing populist parties.
References
- Bundestag official website
- News archives from German media (e.g., Der Spiegel, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Tagesschau) concerning German federal elections and political party developments.
See Also
- [[Alternative for Germany]]
- [[Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht – For Reason and Justice]]
- [[Bundestag]]
- [[German federal election, 2021]]
External Links
- (Official Bundestag profile of Robert Farle)