Thugs to the Left of Me, Thugs to the Right.

Last night on German TV there were discussions on the merits, and the dangers of Communism as a response to the austerity programs being instituted in Germany.

In Germany the most left-wing of the parties is Die Linke or The Left. They are a combination of remnants of the former Communist Party (the German Socialist Unity Party or SED which morphed into the Party for Democratic Socialism PDS) from the former East Germany, the left wing of the German Socialist Party (SPD) and a smaller left wing group.

The original communist party in Germany, the Communist Party of Germany (KDP) was banned in West Germany in 1956. Many former members of the KPD, which was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union went underground until 1969 when the German Communist Party (DKP) was formed.

This close association of communism with Russia which was not only a fearful enemy from the Second World War but an occupier of East Germany resulted in massive crackdowns on the communist movement.

In contrast, the right-wing National Democratic Party of Germany or NPD, which many critics describe as the NSDAP (the German initials for the National Socialist German Workers Party better known as the Nazis) without the SA-who were the Storm Troopers-was formed in 1964.

In the 60's and 70's there were still publicly held meetings of former Waffen SS Divisions despite the fact that the SS had been declared a criminal organisation. Their reunions were always accompanied by strong police protection who dealt aggressively with any protestors. Parallel to this every time a demonstration from Left was held it would tend to be met with harsh police action to suppress it.

After German Reunification in 1989 the appearance of the old SED in the form of the PDS changed the landscape and in 2006 Die Linked was formerly announced. It won 8.7% of the vote thereby clearing the 5% hurdle and gained representation in the Bundestag.

But Die Linke have been very careful not to use the word communism-until recently. Then, Gesine Loetzsch, co-Chairperson of the Linke, writing in Junge Welt under the title "Ways to Communism" said “We can only find the route to communism if we make a start and try it out, whether in opposition or in government”.

Ms Loetzsch is from East Germany. She joined the SED in 1984,the PDS in 1990 and Die Linke in 2007. She has been an outspoken in her suggestions that former Statssicherheit (Stasi) members should be allowed to serve in parliaments and governments and has been criticised for being a revisionist.

Following the publication by Ms Loetzsch a group of former East Germans held a small and peaceful demonstration outside of a meeting held by Die Linke. They were protesting the use of the term communism and the inclusion of former Stasi members in the government They were attacked quite brutally by security men of the party.

That might be the problem with Communism-it doesn't take kindly to dissent. Funny that. Neither does the Far Right.