A male lion looks on after it was shot with sedative by a vet at the local zoo in Fier, Albania October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

A welfare activist checks a lion after a shot with sedative, at the local zoo in Fier, Albania October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

Welfare activists shoot sedative on a lion at the local zoo in Fier, Albania October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

A penitent of La Sed brotherhood walks past an electoral poster of Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) leader and current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

A penitent of La Sed brotherhood walks past an electoral poster of Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) leader and current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Prime Minister David Cameron visits the Sed El Boucrieh School with Lebanese Education minister, Mr Elias Bou Saab, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 14, 2015. . British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Beirut on Monday to visit refugees from the war in neighbouring Syria, which has driven well over a million people into Lebanon and tens of thousands towards Europe, Lebanese media reported. Cameron will visit refugees and then meet with his Lebanese counterpart Tammam Salam. Lebanon, where one in every four people is a refugee, is hosting the greatest number of refugees per capita of any country in the world. It has called on other countries to share the burden. REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool

Prime Minister David Cameron visits the Sed El Boucrieh School with Lebanese Education minister, Mr Elias Bou Saab, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 14, 2015. . British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Beirut on Monday to visit refugees from the war in neighbouring Syria, which has driven well over a million people into Lebanon and tens of thousands towards Europe, Lebanese media reported. Cameron will visit refugees and then meet with his Lebanese counterpart Tammam Salam. Lebanon, where one in every four people is a refugee, is hosting the greatest number of refugees per capita of any country in the world. It has called on other countries to share the burden. REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool

Prime Minister David Cameron visits the Sed El Boucrieh School with Lebanese Education minister, Mr Elias Bou Saab, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 14, 2015. . British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Beirut on Monday to visit refugees from the war in neighbouring Syria, which has driven well over a million people into Lebanon and tens of thousands towards Europe, Lebanese media reported. Cameron will visit refugees and then meet with his Lebanese counterpart Tammam Salam. Lebanon, where one in every four people is a refugee, is hosting the greatest number of refugees per capita of any country in the world. It has called on other countries to share the burden. REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool

Prime Minister David Cameron visits the Sed El Boucrieh School with Lebanese Education minister, Mr Elias Bou Saab, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 14, 2015. . British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Beirut on Monday to visit refugees from the war in neighbouring Syria, which has driven well over a million people into Lebanon and tens of thousands towards Europe, Lebanese media reported. Cameron will visit refugees and then meet with his Lebanese counterpart Tammam Salam. Lebanon, where one in every four people is a refugee, is hosting the greatest number of refugees per capita of any country in the world. It has called on other countries to share the burden. REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool

Prime Minister David Cameron visits the Sed El Boucrieh School with Lebanese Education minister, Mr Elias Bou Saab, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 14, 2015. . British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Beirut on Monday to visit refugees from the war in neighbouring Syria, which has driven well over a million people into Lebanon and tens of thousands towards Europe, Lebanese media reported. Cameron will visit refugees and then meet with his Lebanese counterpart Tammam Salam. Lebanon, where one in every four people is a refugee, is hosting the greatest number of refugees per capita of any country in the world. It has called on other countries to share the burden. REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool

General view of the Justizanstalt Wien-Josefstadt prison in Vienna February 27, 2015. Sedatives have been found in the body of Rakhat Aliyev, a prominent Kazakh dissident found hanged in the prison this week in what authorities say was suicide. An initial toxicological test on Aliyev showed traces of barbiturates, a spokeswoman for prosecutors in Vienna said, stressing it may take days for the final autopsy report to come through. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader (AUSTRIA - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) acknowledges his wife prior to deputies voting for a new Thuringia state premier in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party took power in a German state on Friday for the first time since reunification, ending a quarter century of conservative rule in Thuringia and raising the chance of a left-wing threat to Angela Merkel in the next federal vote. The Left, which traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that once ruled East Germany and built the Berlin Wall, will run the state southwest of Berlin with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) blows a kiss to his wife prior to deputies voting for a new Thuringia state premier in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party took power in a German state on Friday for the first time since reunification, ending a quarter century of conservative rule in Thuringia and raising the chance of a left-wing threat to Angela Merkel in the next federal vote. The Left, which traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that once ruled East Germany and built the Berlin Wall, will run the state southwest of Berlin with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow (6th R) of the Left party (Die Linke) poses with his cabinet following a news conference after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party took power in a German state on Friday for the first time since reunification, ending a quarter century of conservative rule in Thuringia and raising the chance of a left-wing threat to Angela Merkel in the next federal vote. The Left, which traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that once ruled East Germany and built the Berlin Wall, will run the state southwest of Berlin with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) gives a news conference after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party took power in a German state on Friday for the first time since reunification, ending a quarter century of conservative rule in Thuringia and raising the chance of a left-wing threat to Angela Merkel in the next federal vote. The Left, which traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that once ruled East Germany and built the Berlin Wall, will run the state southwest of Berlin with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS HEADSHOT)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) arrives for a news conference after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party took power in a German state on Friday for the first time since reunification, ending a quarter century of conservative rule in Thuringia and raising the chance of a left-wing threat to Angela Merkel in the next federal vote. The Left, which traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that once ruled East Germany and built the Berlin Wall, will run the state southwest of Berlin with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) gives a news conference after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party took power in a German state on Friday for the first time since reunification, ending a quarter century of conservative rule in Thuringia and raising the chance of a left-wing threat to Angela Merkel in the next federal vote. The Left, which traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that once ruled East Germany and built the Berlin Wall, will run the state southwest of Berlin with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) arrives for a news conference after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party took power in a German state on Friday for the first time since reunification, ending a quarter century of conservative rule in Thuringia and raising the chance of a left-wing threat to Angela Merkel in the next federal vote. The Left, which traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that once ruled East Germany and built the Berlin Wall, will run the state southwest of Berlin with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

A military hat and document folder of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) sit on a table after Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) became the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Stephan Brandner of Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) holds a military hat and document folder of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) after Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) became the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Stephan Brandner of Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) holds up a military hat and document folder of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) after Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) became the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) is presented with flowers after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Germana Alberti vom Hofe, wife of Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) waves from the balcony of parliament prior to deputies voting for a new Thuringia state premier, in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke is sworn-in as the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Christine Lieberknecht (R) State Premier of Thuringia walks past Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) to cast her vote in elections for a new state premier in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014. The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) is congratulated by Christine Lieberknecht (R) former state premier of Thuringia, after succeeding her, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) gives a speech after being sworn-in as the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

General view of Thuringia state parliamant after Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) become the new state premier, in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) receives flowers after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke is sworn-in as the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) gives a speech after being sworn-in as the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke is sworn-in as the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Bodo Ramelow (2nd R) of the Left party (Die Linke) is congratulated by Christine Lieberknecht, former state premier of Thuringia, after succeeding her, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

The shadow of Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) is cast upon a wall as he is sworn-in as the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Bodo Ramelow (R) of the Left party (Die Linke) reacts after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow (R) of the Left party (Die Linke) reacts after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) is presented with flowers after becoming the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) reacts as it is announced he is to become the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke is sworn-in as the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) reacts as it is announced he is to become the new Thuringia state premier, in parliament in Erfurt December 5, 2014.The reform communist Left party won control of a German state on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War when the regional assembly in Thuringia elected the Left's Bodo Ramelow as state premier. The Left party, which traces its roots to Erich Honecker's Socialist Unity Party (SED) that built the Berlin Wall, will rule the sparsely populated state with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens in a new three-way coalition. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

An elderly woman demonstrates against the prospect of Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) becoming Thuringia state premier and leading a state coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens, during a protest rally in Erfurt December 4, 2014. The Cold War has flared up again in Germany ahead of a tight and unpredictable state assembly vote on Friday in the eastern state of Thuringia, where the reform communist Left party is yearning to take control of a regional government for the first time. The SPD and Greens have been accused of betraying victims of East Germany's communist dictatorship by cooperating with the Left, which is popular in the east and traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany that built the Berlin Wall. Placards reads 'SED State in Thuringia. No! Never'. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Demonstrators protest against the prospect of Bodo Ramelow of the Left party (Die Linke) becoming Thuringia state premier and leading a state coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens, in Erfurt December 4, 2014. The Cold War has flared up again in Germany ahead of a tight and unpredictable state assembly vote on Friday in the eastern state of Thuringia, where the reform communist Left party is yearning to take control of a regional government for the first time. The SPD and Greens have been accused of betraying victims of East Germany's communist dictatorship by cooperating with the Left, which is popular in the east and traces its roots to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany that built the Berlin Wall. Banner reads 'Out with the leadership role of the SED. Free election'. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

A combination photo of veteran member of left-wing Die Linke party Helga Ronnger posing for a portrait in her garden in Bernau, outside Berlin, August 29, 2013. The 86-year-old was introduced to politics during her teens by her father, a communist persecuted by the Nazis in the Third Reich. As a 19-year old she sat in the executive committee at the congress that sealed the merger of the communist KPD and the socialist SPD into the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) - the party that governed East Germany until the fall of the Berlin Wall. She dismissed the reunification of the two German states as a usurpation of the socialist East. "And then came the reunification and as you know, they have destroyed everything. This is true, isn't it?" she said in an interview. But the need for a left wing party remains strong, she insists. "The left have always been ostracised, by the Greens, the SPD and the CDU. Things the Die Linke propose in parliament are mostly ignored by other parties. I keep having the feeling that the other parties would like us to disappear. Tough luck though, that's not going to happen," she said. German Chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel is seeking a third term in a parliamentary election on September 22, 2013. Picture taken August 29. PICTURE 09 FROM A SERIES OF 22 TO ILLUSTRATE ELECTION IN GERMANY 2013. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

John Coates, President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), announces the findings of a probe into the conduct of Australia's swimming team members in the run-up to the 2012 London Games, at a media conference in Sydney August 23, 2013. Six top Australian swimmers have been warned against their future conduct and risk being excluded from the 2016 Olympics, including world 100 metres freestyle champion James Magnussen. He and his 4x100 metres relay team mates were fined and given deferred suspensions in April for using a banned sedative and indulging in pranks in a bonding session before the Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SWIMMING)

John Coates, President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), announces the findings of a probe into the conduct of Australia's swimming team members in the run-up to the 2012 London Games, at a media conference in Sydney August 23, 2013. Six top Australian swimmers have been warned against their future conduct and risk being excluded from the 2016 Olympics, including world 100 metres freestyle champion James Magnussen. He and his 4x100 metres relay team mates were fined and given deferred suspensions in April for using a banned sedative and indulging in pranks in a bonding session before the Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SWIMMING)

John Coates, President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), reacts as he announces the findings of a probe into the conduct of Australian swimming team members in the run-up to the 2012 London Games, at a media conference in Sydney August 23, 2013. Six top Australian swimmers have been warned against their future conduct and risk being excluded from the 2016 Olympics, including world 100 metres freestyle champion James Magnussen. He and his 4x100 metres relay team mates were fined and given deferred suspensions in April for using a banned sedative and indulging in pranks in a bonding session before the Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SWIMMING)

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wardens transfer a sedated elephant onto a truck during a relocation exercise, aimed at relocating to a national park 10 elephants that were encroaching on community land, on the margins of the Ol Pejeta conservancy in central Kenya June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (KENYA - Tags: ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY TRANSPORT)

A close-up view of a sedated elephant's eye is seen as it is secured on the back of a truck by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wardens during a relocation exercise, aimed at relocating to a national park 10 elephants that were encroaching on community land, on the margins of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (KENYA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT)

A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) helicopter circles an elephant shot with sleep sedative during a relocation exercise, aimed at relocating to a national park 10 elephants that were encroaching on community land, on the margins of the Ol Pejeta conservancy in central Kenya June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (KENYA - Tags: TRANSPORT ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)

A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) veterinary staff armed with a dart gun loaded with sleep sedatives heads towards a helicopter during a relocation exercise, aimed at relocating to a national park 10 elephants that were encroaching on community land, on the margins of the Ol Pejeta conservancy in central Kenya June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (KENYA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS TRANSPORT)

A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) veterinary staff loads a dart gun with sleep sedative during a relocation exercise, aimed at relocating to a national park 10 elephants that were encroaching on community land, on the margins of the Ol Pejeta conservancy in central Kenya June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (KENYA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) veterinary staff prepares sleep sedatives to be used on selected elephants during a relocation exercise, aimed at relocating to a national park 10 elephants that were encroaching on community land, on the margins of the Ol Pejeta conservancy in central Kenya June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (KENYA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) veterinary staff prepares sleep sedatives to be used on selected elephants during a relocation exercise, aimed at relocating to a national park 10 elephants that were encroaching on community land, on the margins of the Ol Pejeta conservancy in central Kenya June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola (KENYA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Australian Olympic Committee Secretary-General Craig Phillips points to a journalist during a news conference in central Sydney February 22, 2013. James Magnussen and his team mates from the Australian men's 4x100m freestyle relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING DRUGS SOCIETY OLYMPICS)

James Magnussen (C) and other members of Australia's 4x100m freestyle relay team at the London Olympic Games leave a media conference at a hotel in Sydney February 22, 2013. Magnussen and his team mates from the relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING DRUGS SOCIETY OLYMPICS)

Australian Olympic Committee Secretary-General Craig Phillips talks during a news conference in central Sydney February 22, 2013. James Magnussen and his team mates from the Australian men's 4x100m freestyle relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING DRUGS SOCIETY OLYMPICS)

Members of Australia's 4x100m freestyle relay team from the London Olympic Games sit with Daniel Kowalski (4th L), CEO of Australian Swimmers Association, and Barclay Nettlefold (4th R), president of Swimming Australia, during a media conference at a hotel in Sydney February 22, 2013. The swimmers are: (L-R) Cameron McEvoy, James Magnussen, Eamon Sullivan, Matthew Targett, James Roberts and Tommaso D’Orsogna. Magnussen and his team mates from the relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING DRUGS SOCIETY OLYMPICS)

Members of Australia's 4x100m freestyle relay team at the London Olympic Games Eamon Sullivan (R) drinks a glass of water as team mate James Magnussen sits next to him during a media conference at a hotel in Sydney February 22, 2013. Magnussen and his team mates from the relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING DRUGS SOCIETY OLYMPICS)

Members of Australia's 4x100m freestyle relay team from the London Olympic Games listen to Daniel Kowalski (R), CEO of Australian Swimmers Association, speak during a media conference at a hotel in Sydney February 22, 2013. The swimmers include: (L-R) Cameron McEvoy, James Magnussen and Eamon Sullivan. Magnussen and his team mates from the relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING DRUGS SOCIETY OLYMPICS)

James Magnussen (C) sits with teammates Cameron McEvoy (L) and Eamon Sullivan (R) from Australia's 4x100m freestyle relay team at the London Olympic Games during a media conference at a hotel in Sydney February 22, 2013. Magnussen and his team mates from the relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING DRUGS SOCIETY OLYMPICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)