Sahra Wagenknecht, one of Germany's most divisive political figures, has seen a resounding success in two state elections, even though she is not on the ballot. In both Saxony and Thuringia, the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) — which the former Left Party parliamentary leader founded in January — ended up well ahead of the parties that make up Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government: the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP).

Espousing an unusual mix of left-wing economic policy and anti-migration rhetoric, the BSW is now set to play a part in government building in the two eastern German states, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won over 30% on Sunday.

The emergence of the BSW underlines the disruption in eastern German politics that has taken place over the last decade. Disruption is also a good way to describe the BSW's influence on German politics.

In July, Wagenknecht described her own party's position in these terms to Germany's daily taz newspaper: "I believe that we simply represent and embody what many parties no longer stand for: enlightened conservatism in the sense of preserving traditions, security — on the streets and in public places, but also jobs, health care and pensions. The need for security, peace and justice has found a new political home with us."

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The party presented a manifesto that political analysts say has not existed in........

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