2024-08-24 08:39:21
The Left Party has a new leader. Janine Wissler and Martin Schirdewan will no longer be running for the top office at the upcoming party conference in Halle.
The Left Party leaders Janine Wissler and Martin Schirdewan have announced their resignation. They will not run for the chairmanship again at the party conference in October, both announced on Sunday. They announced the decision to the rest of the party executive committee in a meeting.
In a statement, Janine Wissler explained that the past three and a half years at the head of the party had been very stressful for her. “I have spent a lot of time in recent years moderating intra-party conflicts and conducting internal processes,” Wissler wrote in the statement. In doing so, the debate with “the political opponent” and the “task of the Left as opposition to capitalist conditions” were often neglected.
Wissler also explains that she continues to believe in the vision of a left-wing party and will continue to work within the Left Party. “I am handing over the helm, but as is well known, there are many other tasks on a large ship.”
Martin Schirdewan also justifies his withdrawal with the internal party disputes of the past few years. “This has often hindered our public impact, sometimes counteracted it,” writes Schirdewan. He believes the party needs “new perspectives and passion.”
Schirdewan also calls on his party colleagues to support the new party leaders. “Hence my request: give those who will soon take over the helm the chance and the trust to be able to lead the party.”
The new party leaders will be elected at the Left Party’s federal party conference from 18 to 20 October 2024 in Halle an der Saale.