"We Can't Realistically Hope to Win"

So are you saying you want to lead the SPD back to its Social Democratic past, and then you could imagine working with them?

Well I would say that Oskar Lafontaine maybe wants that more than me -- he was once the SPD leader, after all. I was never a member of the SPD. But in terms of a coalition -- that would be a prerequisite, yes. Because then we would have similar goals and we would be able to reach compromises together. But when our goals are so different -- how could you find any middle ground?

Oskar Lafontaine isn't just a former SPD leader -- he's also the declared arch-enemy of Chancellor Schröder. Do you worry that you are just giving him the opportunity to take some kind of personal revenge?

Oskar Lafontaine hugs Gerhard Schröder after his election as chancellor in 1998. The two had a falling out soon after

No, that doesn't worry me. Gerhard Schröder has been on his way out since the North Rhine-Westphalia election. Oskar Lafontaine knows that, too. He knows that he probably won't even see Schröder in parliament any more. Lafontaine knows that our new party -- to the left of the Social Democrats - will be a significant political force. And in years to come, we might be able to work with the SPD if they return to their roots. Of course people might think there are other factors motivating Oskar Lafontaine -- that's perfectly legitimate. Who wouldn't think that? But in my opinion, it has very little to do with Gerhard Schröder any more.

The East German SED became the SED-PDS, then the PDS. Now it's the Left Party. What will you be called in five years?

I honestly can't say. Because the truth is, we have not merged with the WASG in western Germany. The WASG has decided not to stand at the election. We are standing. I don't want to go into the legal details right now. But if we get into parliament -- and I hope we will -- then for the first time, we will have more members of parliament from the west than from the east. For the other parties that's perfectly normal -- but not for mine. These are new challenges. In time, the leadership of the two parties will realize that the only sensible option is to merge. And in 80 percent of our policies, that won't be a problem. For 15 percent, some discussion will be needed. And for 5 percent it will be really difficult. But we'll get there. And then there will be a new name.

Which might be what?

Gysi and PDS leader Norbert Bisky

Oh please don't ask such difficult questions! I think the main thing will be "The Left." That's easy to remember. It's what we're already labeled as, and that's fine. At least you know then where you stand with us. We certainly won't succumb to the ridiculous temptation to campaign as the Party of the New Center.