"Together instead of alone" - left-wingers launch campaigns

The Left Party in the Saxon state parliament wants to use a poster campaign to address a fundamental problem for many people - social isolation. Under the slogan "Together instead of lonely", they are campaigning for a state strategy against loneliness. The issue affects many people, but is often underestimated, explained parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper.

"Chronic feelings of loneliness in particular can lead to vicious circles of isolation, stress and withdrawal. Severe psychological stress increases the risk of depression, anxiety disorders or addiction," emphasized Schaper. Physical health can also be severely impaired, for example through a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Leftists want to make society more sociable

"Poverty further increases social isolation. We want to make society more sociable - this should not be a question of money. There are many conceivable ways to do this, which we want to incorporate into a state strategy against loneliness," said the parliamentary group leader, suggesting creating meeting places, promoting volunteering, setting up "chatting benches" and securing support services.

A second campaign concerns childcare close to home, including in rural areas. Here, Die Linke resorts to Saxon dialect. Under the slogan "Nu lasst mal die Kita im Dorf" (Leave the daycare in the village), the aim is to prevent the closure of daycare centers.

Chance for better care

"In Saxony, the number of births has fallen significantly in recent years. As a result, fewer and fewer children are arriving at nurseries. We should seize the opportunity to improve childcare," emphasized Luise Neuhaus-Wartenberg, member of the state parliament. The wrong approach would be to lengthen the distances for families by closing them.