The Left party formed as a pseudo-union of the East German PDS, and the West German WASG group. The latter was formed by people who left the SPD in protest of Schröder's economic reforms, and call for abolishing those.
On the other hand, as Bernhard noted, there is a small chance of compromise, but I suspect only if all the current leaders leave in all three parties. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
