Germany’s Linke party said on Sunday it would replace its leadership duo later this year as it struggles to overcome an “existential” crisis after a series of setbacks, Euractiv reports.
Janine Wissler and Martin Schirdewan said in a statement they did not intend to run for co-leaders at Linke’s party congress in October. Wissler said:
I realise there is a desire in parts of the party for a fresh start in terms of personnel.
Their decision to step down came after Linke, with roots in East German communism and the West German labour movement, fell below three per cent in June’s European Parliament elections.
Linke, which barely made it into the German parliament in the 2021 elections, has long been riven by internal strife. But it was dealt a heavy blow when popular lawmaker Sahra Wagenknecht defected last year to form a new left-populist party, taking nine Linke MPs with her.
Sahra Wagenknecht’s Alliance (BSW) beat Linke in European elections, and polls suggest Linke will fall behind the party in regional elections in three eastern German states next month.
Acknowledging the turmoil, Linke’s executive council on Saturday passed a motion ahead of its October congress saying the party was “undoubtedly in a dangerous situation that poses an existential threat.” The party “needs new perspectives and passion” to stimulate “necessary renewal,” Schirdewan said on Sunday.
Wissler has led Linke since 2021, while Schirdewan joined a year later.
Wagenknecht quit the party after clashing with senior Linke members over her hardline stance on immigration. She also wants Germany to stop supplying arms to Ukraine.
Analysts say BSW, which describes itself as both left-wing and conservative, is not only targeting left-wing supporters but is also trying to lure protest voters from the Alternative for Germany with its anti-immigration and anti-establishment rhetoric.
