If the Left were to win a place in a new coalition Government, it is likely its pro-Russian agenda would be up for discussion.
Mr Schirdewan told EURACTIV: “It is no secret that Die Linke was always in favour of a diplomatic approach when it comes to Russia, meaning that we should not operate in a confrontative way, that we should not impose sanctions, but seek to solve conflict via diplomacy.”
He added his priority would be to address the “most pressing needs of the German society” including climate change, digital transition, the German health system and raising the minimum wage.
Mr Scholz’s SPD are currently polling at 25 percent against the CDU’s 21 percent and the Green’s 16 percent. But Ms Merkel has warned voters about supporting her successor’s rival, due to the coalition’s he may have to form.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Berlin, she said there was a “huge difference for the future of Germany” between Scholz and herself.